2015/03/12 10:59
A Guide to the Statistics Bureau, the Director-General for Policy Planning (Statistical Standards) and the Statistical Research and Training Institute Japan
Statistics Bureau Phone : +81-3-5273-1116 Fax : +81-3-5273-1010 E-mail : [email protected]
Website : http://www.stat.go.jp/english/index.htm
19-1 Wakamatsu-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8668 Japan 19-1 Wakamatsu-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8668 Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications 英文ガイド：表紙【PDFX4】.indd 1
A Guide to the Statistics Bureau, the Director-General for Policy Planning (Statistical Standards) and the Statistical Research and Training Institute
March 2015
Statistics Bureau Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Japan
Statistics Bureau Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications
19-1 Wakamatsu-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8668 Japan Phone : +81-3-5273-1116 Fax : +81-3-5273-1010 E-mail : [email protected] Website: http://www.stat.go.jp/english/index.htm
A Guide to the Statistics Bureau, the Director-General for Policy Planning (Statistical Standards) and the Statistical Research and Training Institute
(page)
Introduction ···································································································· 1
Chapter I Profiles of the Statistics Bureau and the Director-General for Policy Planning (Statistical Standards) of Japan ························································· 2 1. The roles of the Statistics Bureau and the Director-General for Policy Planning in the Japanese statistical system ···························································································· 2
Chapter II Organization and Functions of the Statistics Bureau ··························· 5 Mission and Guidelines······················································································· 5 1. Organization and Functions of the Statistics Bureau ·············································· 6 2. General Affairs Division ··················································································· 7 3. Statistical Information Systems Division ······························································ 7 4. Statistical Survey Department ··········································································· 7 5. Field organizations and collecting data ······························································· 8
Chapter III Production of Fundamental Statistics ··············································· 13 1. Statistics on population, housing, and land ·························································· 13 (1) Population Census ······················································································ 13 (2) Current Population Estimates ········································································· 18 (3) Internal Migration Statistics ············································································ 19 (4) Housing and Land Survey ············································································· 20 2. Labour statistics ···························································································· 25 (1) Labour Force Survey···················································································· 25 (2) Employment Status Survey ··········································································· 30 3. Statistics on establishments and enterprises ························································ 34 (1) Economic Census for Business Frame ·························································· 34 (2) Economic Census for Business Activity ························································· 39 (3) Unincorporated Enterprise Survey ·································································· 42 (4) Survey of Research and Development ····························································· 46 (5) Monthly Survey on Service Industries ······························································ 49 (6) Establishment and Enterprise Census〔1947-2006〕 ········································· 54 (7) Survey on Service Industries〔1989-2004〕 ····················································· 57 (8) Establishment Frame Database ······································································ 60 4. Statistics on household income and expenditure, price statistics ······························ 63 (1) Family Income and Expenditure Survey ··························································· 63 (2) National Survey of Family Income and Expenditure ············································ 67 (3) Survey of Household Economy ······································································ 70 (4) Retail Price Survey ······················································································ 73 (5) National Survey of Prices〔1967–2007〕 ························································· 79 (6) Consumer Price Index ·················································································· 83 5. Social statistics ···························································································· 86 (1) Survey on Time Use and Leisure Activities ······················································· 86
Chapter IV Compilation and Dissemination of Statistical Information ··················· 90 1. Collection and compilation of statistical information ··············································· 90 (1) Grid Square Statistics ··················································································· 90 (2) Census Mapping System (CMS) ··································································· 91 2. Dissemination of statistical information ······························································· 93 (1) Website ····································································································· 93 (2) Inter-Ministry Information System for Official Statistics (IMISOS) ··························· 94 (2)-1 “Portal Site of Official Statistics of Japan (e-Stat)”··········································· 95 (2)-2 Online Survey System (OSS or “e-survey”) ··················································· 99 (3) Compiling statistical compendia ······································································ 102 3. Secondary Use of Statistical Information ····························································· 103 (1) New framework for secondary use of official statistics ········································· 103 (1)-1 Provision of the Anonymized Data ······························································ 103 (1)-2 Tailor-made Tabulations ··········································································· 104 4. Statistical Library and Statistical Museum ···························································· 105
Chapter V International Cooperation in Statistics ·············································· 106 1. International cooperation ················································································· 106 (1) Bilateral cooperation ···················································································· 106 (2) Receiving visitors from abroad ······································································· 107 (3) Technical cooperation ·················································································· 107 2. Activities related to international statistical conferences ·········································· 107 (1) Participation in international statistical conferences ············································· 107 (2) Hosting international statistical conferences ······················································ 108 3. Provision and exchange of statistical information ·················································· 109
Chapter Vl Director-General for Policy Planning ················································ 110 1. Organization and functions of the Office of the Director-General for Policy Planning ····· 110 (1) Director for Statistical Planning ······································································· 111 (2) Directors for Statistical Clearance ··································································· 111 (3) Director for International Statistical Affairs ························································· 111 2. Statistics Act ································································································ 111 3. Overview of Master Plan Concerning the Development of Official Statistics……………… 113 4. Examining plans and budgets for censuses and statistical surveys ··························· 114 5. Establishing and improving statistical standards ··················································· 115 6. Compiling national Input-Output Tables ······························································ 115 7. Managing the local government statistical system ················································· 116 8. Promoting the public understanding of statistics ···················································· 117 9. Coordinating international statistical affairs with international training cooperation ········ 118 (1) Activities related to international statistical conferences ······································· 118 (2) Participation in international statistical activities ················································· 118 (3) Providing and exchanging statistical information ················································ 119 (4) Cooperation with the United Nations Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific ········ 120
Chapter VII Statistical Research and Training Institute ······································· 122 1. Organization and functions of the Statistical Research and Training Institute ··············· 122 2. Brief history ·································································································· 122 3. Statistical training ··························································································· 122 4. Statistical research activities ············································································· 125
Chapter VIII National Statistics Center ······························································ 127 1. Organization and functions of the National Statistics Center ···································· 127 2. Making of Statistics (Tabulation) ········································································ 127 3. Official Statistics-based Services ······································································· 128 4. Secondary Use Service of Official Statistics Micro data ·········································· 128 5. Technical Research ························································································ 128 6. International Cooperation ················································································· 128
Appendices ···································································································· 129 1- (1) Law to Establish the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications ···················· 131 1- (2) Statistics Act ···························································································· 132 2. Organizational history of the Bureau and the Director-General for Policy Planning ······· 150 3. Government statistical organizations ·································································· 152 4. List of major publications ················································································· 154
Introduction
This booklet is a guide to the organization and functions of the Statistics Bureau, the Director-General for Policy Planning (Statistical Standards), and the Statistical Research and Training Institute of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of the Government of Japan. These organizations play a pivotal role in the statistical system of the Japanese government. The Statistics Bureau is responsible for (1) planning and executing major censuses and statistical surveys, and (2) compiling and disseminating statistical information. The Director-General for Policy Planning (Statistical Standards) is responsible for planning and coordinating the government’s statistical activities.
Throughout this booklet, the Statistics Bureau is generally referred to as “the Bureau,” the Director-General for Policy Planning (Statistical Standards) as “the Director-General for Policy Planning,” the Statistical Research and Training Institute as “the Institute,” and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications as “the MIC.”
1 Chapter I Profiles of the Statistics Bureau
and the Director-General for Policy Planning
(Statistical Standards) of Japan
1. The roles of the Statistics Bureau and the Director-General for Policy Planning in the Japanese statistical system
The Statistics Bureau and the Director-General for Policy Planning belong to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC). The MIC is responsible for administrative functions related to a wide variety of aspects of the lives of Japanese citizens. The MIC consists of the Minister’s Secretariat, nine bureaus, three Director-Generals for Policy Planning, several institutes and other organizations (including the Statistical Research and Training Institute), and local branch offices.
Organization of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC Organization of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC)
Minister’s Secretariat Minister’sMinister’s SSecretariatecretariat
Administrative Management BureauBureau
Administrative EvaluationEvaluation BureauBureau
Local AdminiAdministrationstration BureaBureauu
Local Public Finance BureaBureauu MMICIC Local Tax BureauBureau
Global ICT Strategy BureauBureau
Information and CommunicationsCommunications BureauBureau
Director-General for Policy Planning Director-General for Policy PlaPlanningnning (Statistical(Statistical StandaStandards)rds)
StatisticalStatistical RResearchesearch and Training InstituteInstitute
Note: This organization chart only indicates major organizations in the MIC and National Note: This organization chart only indicates major organizations in the MIC and National Statistics Center (Incorporated Administrative Agency). Statistics Center (Incorporated Administrative Agency).
2 The Bureau and the Director-General for Policy Planning play key roles in the Japanese statistical system, which aims to provide appropriate statistics on a timely basis in response to socio-economic changes.
(1) The Bureau conducts fundamental censuses and statistical surveys. The following are statistics produced by the Bureau (See also Chapter III on page 13 for more detail): - Population Census - Current Population Estimates - Internal Migration Statistics - Housing and Land Survey - Labour Force Survey - Employment Status Survey - Economic Census for Business Frame - Economic Census for Business Activity - Unincorporated Enterprise Survey - Survey of Research and Development - Monthly Survey on Service Industries - Establishment and Enterprise Census〔1947-2006〕※1 - Survey on Service Industries〔1989-2004〕※1 - Family Income and Expenditure Survey - National Survey of Family Income and Expenditure - Survey of Household Economy - Retail Price Survey - National Survey of Prices〔1967-2007〕※2 - Consumer Price Index - Survey on Time Use and Leisure Activities ※1 The Establishment and Enterprise Census and Survey on Service Industries are integrated in the Economic Census. ※2 The National Survey of Prices is combined in the Retail Price Survey (Structural Survey).
(2) The Bureau promotes the use of statistical information in various ways. (See also Chapter IV on page 90 for more detail.)
(3) The Director-General for Policy Planning plans and coordinates the statistical activities of the Japanese Government, thereby improving the statistical system and reducing the burden on respondents, etc. (See also Chapter VI on page 110 for more detail.)
Building of the Bureau and the Director-General for Policy Planning 3 Statistical System of Japan
Director-General for Policy Planning Statistics Commission (Statistical Standards), MIC (Cabinet Office)
< Main Statistics Departments > < Main Statistics/ Surveys >
・ Cabinet Office Economic and Social SNA (National Accounts) Research Institute ・ Consumer Confidence Survey
Ministry of Internal ・ Population Census Affairs and Statistics Bureau ・ Economic Census Communications ・ Labour Force Survey
Judicial System Ministry of Justice Department, Minister’s ・ Statistics on Registration Secretariat
・ Financial Statements Statistics of Policy Research Institute Ministry of Finance Corporations by Industry
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Lifelong Learning Policy ・ School Basic Survey Science and Bureau Technology
Ministry of Health, Statistics and Information ・ Vital Statistics Labour and Welfare Department, Minister’s ・ Monthly Labour Survey Secretariat
・ Census of Agriculture and Ministry of Statistics Department, Forestry Agriculture, Forestry Minister’s Secretariat and Fisheries ・ Fisheries Census
Research and Statistics Ministry of Economy, ・ Census of Manufactures Department, Minister’s Trade and Industry ・ Census of Commerce Secretariat
・ Building Starts Ministry of Land, Information and Research ・ Survey on Motor Vehicle Infrastructure, Department, Policy Bureau Transport Transport and Tourism
4 Chapter II Organization and Functions of the Statistics Chapter II Organization and Functions of the Statistics Bureau Bureau
Mission and Guidelines AsMission Central and Organization Guidelines of Official Statistics As Central Organization of Official Statistics Our Mission: What are we committed to? OurWe Mission: play a central What role are in we the committedofficial statistical to? system of Japan for the production, compilationWe play and a central dissemination role in theof officialofficial statistics statistical which system are of fundamental Japan for theto monitorproduction, the socio-economiccompilation and conditions dissemination of our of country. official statistics which are fundamental to monitor the socio-economicWe systematically conditions develop of our a ndcountry. disseminate relevant and reliable statistics which meet the needsWe systematically arising from the develop socio-economic and disseminate changes, relevant and provide and reliable them instatistics a timely which and proper meet manner.the needs We arising aim from to support the socio-economic the planning, cha fonges,rmulation and provide and evaluation them in a timelyof governmental and proper policies,manner. andWe assistaim toin rationalsupport decision-makithe planning,ng fo byrmulation individuals and and evaluation businesses. of Moreover,governmental we strivepolicies, to andcontribute assist in toward rationals thedecision-maki improvementng by of individuals people's lives, and businesses.and the development Moreover, weof strivesociety to and contribute economy. toward s the improvement of people's lives, and the development of society and economy. Our Guiding Principles: To achieve our mission OurWe Guiding listen to Principles: requests and Tocomments achieve of aour wide mission range of people including users of statistics,We listen respondents to requests to surveys and comments and learners of aof wide statistics, range and of endeavorpeople including continuously users forof betterstatistics, production respondents / dissemination to surveys and of learnersstatistics; of statistics,bear in mind and endeavorthe following continuously 5 guiding for principles:better production / dissemination of statistics; bear in mind the following 5 guiding principles:
5 1. Organization and Functions of the Statistics Bureau
The responsibilities of the Bureau are stipulated in the Law to Establish the MIC and the Cabinet Order on the Organization of the MIC. Under Article 13 of the Cabinet Order, the responsibilities of the Bureau are defined as follows:
(a) To execute and tabulate the Population Census, other fundamental censuses and statistical surveys, and collect statistical reports for producing fundamental statistics, as well as statistical surveys entrusted by other national administrative organizations and local governments, (b) To conduct research on statistical methods, (c) To compile secondary statistics (statistics compiled from other statistical data), (d) To collect and provide the necessary information for producing and using statistics, (e) To develop and manage the information system for statistics, and (f) To coordinate statistical activities within the MIC.
The Bureau comprises the General Affairs Division, the Statistical Information Systems Division, and the Statistical Survey Department, which consists of five divisions.
Organization of the Statistics Bureau
General Affairs Division
DDirectorirector for for S Statisticaltatistical Q Qualityuality Manage Managementment StatisticsS tatistics StatisticalStatistical IInformatinformation SysteSystemsms Division Bureau StatisticalStatistical IInformationnformation PPlanninglanning OOfficeffice
SStatisticaltatistical LLibraryibrary
StatisticalStatistical Survey Planning Division Survey
DepartmentDepartment GGeographiceographic I Informationnformation Off Officeice
DirectorDirector for for Infor Informationmation Processing Processing DDirectorirector for for S Statisticaltatistical C Classificationlassification aandnd C Commodityommodity S Specificationpecification SeniorSenior Analyst Analyst for for Statistical Statistical Surveys Surveys
Population Census Division
LabourLabour Force Force Statistics Statistics Office Office EconomicEconomic Statistics Division
EconomicEconomic Structure Statistics Division
ConsumerConsumer Statistics Division PricePrice Statistics Statistics Office Office
6
The responsibilities of each division in the Bureau are stipulated in Articles 111, 112, and 116 to 119 of the Cabinet Order on the Organization of the MIC as follows:
2. General Affairs Division
The General Affairs Division is charged with the overall coordination of the Bureau’s work, and matters relating to the organization and the administration of the National Statistics Center. More precisely, this Division controls personnel matters, document clearance, international cooperation, liaison among ministries, training and welfare of staff, budgets and accounts, and building maintenance. The Director for Quality Management is responsible for maintaining and improving statistical quality of surveys and censuses conducted by the Bureau.
3. Statistical Information Systems Division
The Statistical Information Systems Division is in charge of the strategic planning and management of IT policies for collecting, processing, and disseminating statistics. The Division is also in charge of developing and managing statistical information systems, including the website of the Bureau, and the Statistical Research and Training Institute. This Division is also in charge of promoting the optimization of operations and systems for statistical work in the Japanese government. The Statistical Information Planning Office of this Division is responsible for familiarization of statistical literacy and promotion of various strategic initiatives for dissemination of statistical information. The Statistical Library collects and provides statistical materials, and conducts tasks such as statistics consultation.
4. Statistical Survey Department
The Survey Planning Division coordinates the activities of the Statistical Survey Department. It is also responsible for executing and tabulating statistical surveys entrusted by other national administrative organizations and local governments. Furthermore, it is responsible for technological and methodological research and studies on statistics, compiling derived statistics such as Social Indicators, as well as the overall coordination of statistical surveys within the MIC. The Geographic Information Office belongs to this Division, and is charged with preparing and using geographic information, as well as being responsible for grid-square statistics and the Census Mapping System (CMS). The Director for Information Processing is responsible for planning and researching the information processing systems used for tabulation. The Director for Statistical Classification and Commodity Specification is responsible for establishing standards for applying statistical classifications, and research on commodity specifications.
The Population Census Division is in charge of executing and tabulating the Population Census, and the Housing and Land Survey. It also compiles current population estimates and internal migration statistics. The Labour Force Statistics Office in this Division is responsible for statistical surveys on employment and unemployment such as the Labour Force Survey and the Employment Status Survey, and the Survey on Time Use and Leisure
7 Activities.
The Economic Statistics Division is in charge of executing and tabulating statistical surveys pertaining to establishments and enterprises. The surveys conducted by this Division are the Economic Census for Business Activity, the Survey of Research and Development, the Monthly Survey on Service Industries, and the Survey on Service Industries [1989-2004].
The Economic Structure Statistics Division is in charge of executing and tabulating statistical surveys concerning establishments and enterprises. The surveys conducted by this Division are the Establishment and Enterprise Census [1947-2006], the Economic Census for Business Frame and the Unincorporated Enterprises Survey.
The Consumer Statistics Division is in charge of executing and tabulating statistical surveys on consumers and prices. The Family Income and Expenditure Survey, the National Survey of Family Income and Expenditure and the Survey of Household Economy are under the jurisdiction of this Division. The Price Statistics Office of this Division is responsible for the Retail Price Survey, the National Survey of Prices [1967-2007], and the Consumer Price Index.
5. Field organizations and collecting data
Although the Bureau conducts various censuses and statistical surveys, it has no field organization of its own. Instead, its field activities are conducted through the statistical organizations of local governments.
The statistical organizations of the prefectural and municipal governments play an important role in supporting Japan’s statistical system. They are solely responsible for collecting data for central government censuses and other large-scale surveys such as the Population Census, the Census of Manufactures, and the Establishment and Enterprise Census [1947-2006]. Furthermore, at their own discretion, they conduct independent surveys according to their needs, develop local statistics, and improve the use of statistics within local administrations.
At the prefectural level, to fulfill its data collection responsibilities for the central government censuses and statistical surveys, each prefectural government has a statistical division staffed with statistical personnel. These statistical personnel in all prefectural governments numbered 1,930 in fiscal 2013, and were funded by the MIC.
By contrast, few municipalities have a statistical division. The personnel engaged in statistical work numbered 8,068 as of April 2013, but in many cases they have other responsibilities besides statistics. The expenses for municipal personnel engaged in statistical work are covered by the Local Grant Tax System of the central government.
Generally, there are representative methods of collecting data: mail, enumerators and response via the Internet. In Japan, many censuses and statistical surveys employ enumerators, taking into consideration factors such as response rate and accuracy. The enumerators are public servants, who are appointed on a temporary basis for the respective censuses and statistical surveys.
8
Production of statistics
Censuses and statistical surveys are planned and conducted, and the results are compiled, released, and published according to the following flowchart:
Flowchart of census/survey-taking - from planning to publication
(1) Preparing questionnaires (survey items);
Deciding on survey methods, statistical tables, etc.
(Application for approval in accordance with the Statistics Act, etc.)
(2) Conducting pilot surveys
(3) Preparation of census/survey documents; Establishment of organizations
(4) Instruction/orientation for local governments and enumerators regarding census/survey-taking Overall planning; Establishment organizations of Establishment planning; Overall
(5) Listing and contacting respondents; Distributing and collecting questionnaires
Field work Field (6) Examining completed questionnaires and other documents; Submitting them to the Statistics Bureau
(7) Receipt of questionnaires and other documents
Receipt of of Receipt
questionnaires
(8) Data-processing by the National Statistics Center Data processing
(9) Analyzing and releasing results, and publishing reports
Publication
9 Overall planning of census/survey-taking and establishment of organizations (Statistics Bureau) (1) Preparing questionnaires (survey items), and deciding on survey methods, statistical tables, etc. Given the purpose and characteristics of a census/ survey, the survey items to be covered, survey methods to be employed, and statistical tables to be produced are considered and determined, and questionnaires and other documents are designed accordingly.
(2) Conducting pilot surveys In case of a large census/survey, pilot surveys are conducted to check the suitability of the questionnaire and the survey methods.
(3) Preparation of census/ survey documents, and establishment of organizations Manuals for census/ survey-taking, letters requesting cooperation, instructions on how to answer questions and other necessary documents are prepared. At the local level, enumerators and supervisors are selected and appointed, thus establishing the census/ survey organizations.
(4) Instruction/orientation for local governments and enumerators regarding the census/ survey-taking The Bureau and local governments hold a series of meetings to instruct and explain the census/ survey-taking process to local government officials and enumerators, especially fieldwork aspects, including the distribution and the collection of questionnaires.
Fieldwork (local governments and enumerators) (5) Listing and contacting respondents, and distributing and collecting questionnaires Enumerators make a list of all the respondents they are to cover and contact, distribute questionnaires, request the cooperation of respondents, collect the completed questionnaires, and submit them to prefectural/municipal governments. This work is to be done during the designated period and in accordance with the designated methods.
(6) Examining completed questionnaires and other documents, and submitting them to the Bureau The prefectural and municipal governments conduct a series of checks to ascertain whether or not the submitted questionnaires and other documents have any deficiencies in their content, and in due course the prefectural governments submit them to the Bureau.
Receipt of questionnaires and other documents (Statistics Bureau) (7) The Bureau receives questionnaires and other documents, and issues official acknowledgment to the prefectural governments.
Data-processing (National Statistics Center) (8) Data contained in the questionnaires are processed by the Center to produce statistical tables. (See box on page 12.)
Publication (Statistics Bureau) (9) Releasing and analyzing results, and publishing reports Census/ survey results, which have been produced and certified by the Center, are analyzed by the Bureau, and a summary is released to the public as an advance report as promptly as possible. The final reports and electronic media such as CD-ROMs and MOs containing the results of the census/ survey are compiled later and distributed to the
10 central, prefectural and municipal governments as well as major university libraries, etc., so that users can access them. The reports, including electronic data, can be purchased through the Government Publications Service Center and non-profit organizations.
Flow of census/survey-taking
Censuses and statistical surveys of the Statistics Bureau are conducted in the following way:
◘ Large censuses or statistical surveys such as the Population Census, and the Housing and Land Survey
Prefectures Municipalities (to, do, fu and (shi, ku, machi Enumerators Respondents ken) and mura)
Statistics ◘ Family Income and Expenditure Survey, Labour Force Survey, etc.
Bureau Prefectures (to, do, fu and Enumerators Respondents ken)
◘ Survey of Research and Development（Mailing/Internet）
Respondents (companies, universities, institutes, etc.)
11
Processing census and statistical survey data
The questionnaires and other documents of various censuses and statistical surveys are processed by the National Statistics Center. The Center is responsible for processing the data collected by the Population Census and other fundamental censuses and statistical surveys in the country, as well as for research on essential statistical technology that is closely associated with this data-processing work. The Center thus aims to ensure the reliability of statistics and contribute to the development of statistical technology. The process for producing statistics from questionnaires collected in censuses and statistical surveys sent to the Center generally consists of procedures such as (1) registering and storing questionnaires, (2) inputting data, (3) coding entries, (4) editing data, (5) data processing, and (6) certifying the statistical tables produced.
General data-processing procedures
Registering and storing questionnaires
Inputting data
Coding entries
Editing data
Data processing
Certifying the statistical tables
(1) Registering and storing questionnaires Upon receipt of questionnaires and other documents from central or local governments, the Center checks whether any are missing or duplicated; divides the documents into groups of a certain size, and places them in storage rooms that are specially designed for safekeeping. (2) Inputting data The questionnaires are fed into optical character readers (OCRs) or keyed into computers. (3) Coding entries Entries in the form of phrases or sentences are converted into alphanumeric codes according to certain classification standards such as industrial, occupational, and income and expenditure. (4) Editing data Entries in the questionnaires are examined for duplication, omissions or invalid entries, and are corrected, if feasible. In addition, after coding the entries, all input data are checked thoroughly by computer for validity and consistency. Any errors detected are either corrected by computer, or edited by keyboard entry, referring to the original questionnaires. (5) Data processing Clean data thus obtained are processed to produce statistical tables. (6) Certifying the statistical tables The statistical tables produced are examined by computer in accordance with pre-programmed procedures to check for any inconsistencies within each table and among tables (automatic examination). Major figures are also analyzed, by comparing them to past figures and related statistics. Statistical tables are thus certified by the Center, and then submitted to the Bureau.
12
Chapter III Production of Fundamental Statistics
1. Statistics on population, housing, and land
The Bureau is the main supplier of statistical data pertaining to Japan’s population and housing. It is responsible for conducting both the Population Census of Japan and the Housing and Land Survey once every five years. It is also responsible for compiling internal migration statistics and current population estimates.
Name Cycle Conducted since Size
Population Census (F) Quinquennial 1920 128 million persons (2010)
Current Population Estimates (P) Monthly 1950 -
Internal Migration Statistics (S) Monthly 1954 -
Housing and Land Survey (F) Quinquennial 1948 3.5 million dwellings (2013)
(F): Fundamental Statistical Surveys; (P): Processed statistics; (S): Statistics derived from administrative records
(1) Population Census
Purpose
The purpose of the Population Census is to investigate the domestic situation of the population and the number of households it comprises in order to obtain basic data for the development and implementation of important policies and measures.
Short history
The Population Census of Japan has been conducted every five years since 1920, with the exception of 1945, when the census could not be taken due to World War II. However, special population censuses were taken during the 1940s to fill this gap. The next Population Census will be the 20th census, taken in October 2015.
When the first census was taken, the Law Concerning the Population Census stipulated that the census be taken every ten years. However, the law was amended in 1922 to stipulate that the census be conducted every five years, alternating between large-scale and simplified censuses. For example, the 1925 and 1935 censuses were simplified, while the 1930 and 1940 censuses were large scale.
The scheduled 1945 census could not be carried out because of the widespread upheaval at the end of World War II. Instead, the Bureau conducted the Extraordinary Population Census in 1947, in accordance with the provisions of the former Statistics Act. This act initially stipulated that the census be conducted every five years. However, after the 1950 census, the act was amended in 1954 to require a large-scale census every ten years, and a
13 simplified one in the fifth year following such a census.
The main difference between large-scale and simplified censuses lies in the number of questions. In recent large-scale censuses, for instance, each household enumerated was required to answer 20 questions, while in recent simplified censuses, the households needed to answer only 17 questions.
Census date
The 2015 census will be taken as of midnight on October 1, 2015. This census date has remained unchanged since 1920 for all regular censuses.
Coverage
The Population Census of Japan covers the entire territory of Japan. However, as the territory under Japanese control has changed after World War II, the area covered by subsequent censuses has changed accordingly. However, the census coverage has remained unchanged since the 1975 census, conducted after Okinawa returned to Japanese administration in 1972.
The 2015 census will cover the entire territory of Japan, except the following islands: - Habomai-gunto, Shikotan-to, Kunashiri-to, and Etorofu-to - Take-shima in Okinoshima-cho, Oki-gun, Shimane-ken
The persons enumerated are those who are usually residing in the territory of Japan at the time of each census. These persons are counted at their places of usual residence. They comprise the de jure population of Japan. The following persons, however, are excluded from the census: - Members of the foreign diplomatic corps, their suite, and dependents - Foreign military personnel including both military corps and supporting civilians, and their dependents
Generally, the words “persons usually residing in Japan” are interpreted, in the census, as those persons who have lived or are going to live in their respective households for three months or more, as of the census date. Persons who have no usual place of residence, or whose usual place of residence is unknown, are counted at the places where they are located at the time of the census. This definition has remained unchanged since the 1950 census.
Census organization
The 2015 census will be conducted through the following channels:
Prefectures Municipalities Statistics (to, do, fu, (shi, ku, machi, Supervisors Enumerators Households Bureau and ken) and mura)
Survey Method
The Bureau is in charge of planning and executing the census, which includes arranging
14 materials and documents, instructing local statistical governments on its field activities carried out by them, and publishing the results.
The statistics divisions of the prefectural governments are responsible for conducting census operations in each prefecture. These statistics divisions perform the census work, which consists of distributing census documents to municipal governments, supporting the fieldwork of municipalities, collecting census documents from municipalities, and so forth, at the prefectural level.
The respective shi (city), ku (ward), machi (town), and mura (village) offices perform tasks such as establishing the enumeration districts, selecting and training supervisors and enumerators, distributing census documents to supervisors and enumerators, and collecting these documents.
The fieldwork of the 2015 census will be carried out by enumerators who will be specially appointed for the census. Supervisors will be also appointed for training and supervising the enumerators, examining entries in census questionnaires, and other tasks. These enumerators and supervisors will be appointed by the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications.
In the 2015 Census, based on the advancement of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), the Bureau will review the process of the census taking and introduce the first-ever nationwide online census through PCs and smartphones in light of accurate and efficient enumeration, reduction of respondent burden and improvement of respondent/user convenience.
In order to promote online response, the 2015 Census will be conducted by the method in which the online response period is set prior to the period for paper questionnaire submission (by handing over or postal mail). By distributing questionnaires only to households that have not responded online, rational and efficient enumeration of census will be carried out.
In this way, the households will be able to select the following response-methods in the 2015 Census: ・Keying in answers in the online survey system. ・Handing over questionnaires enclosed in envelopes to enumerators. These envelopes can be sealed as the respondent chooses. ・Putting the questionnaires in pre-addressed envelopes and mailing them to the Bureau (dropping them into post boxes).
The purpose of introducing these methods is to address the change of conditions such as the increase of households in which members are absent from home in the daytime, and their privacy concerns.
[Basic Unit Blocks (BUBs)]
The 1990 census first adopted the concept of “Basic Unit Blocks” (BUBs) to establish permanent geographical units. For localities where the address designation was conducted based on the gaiku areas, determined by the Law Concerning the Address Designation of Residences, one gaiku normally constituted one BUB. A gaiku is a small area that has been
15 permanently established by further dividing a subdivision (called cho or aza) within a municipal district by roads, railways, rivers, etc. For the remaining areas, the municipal governments demarcated BUBs based on small areas similarly delineated by clear and permanent geographical characteristics and landmarks. Generally, one BUB comprises around 20–30 households.
As the method used to establish the BUBs suggests, they are intrinsically permanent. However, for the 2015 census, some of the BUBs established in the 2010 census have been inevitably altered because of boundary changes between municipalities, address designation changes, and other reasons.
The BUBs are the units for compiling and providing statistics for small areas. However, the statistical tables for the BUBs only contain basic data items such as population by sex and total number of households, as the BUBs are too small for cross-classified tabulation. Tables with more details are compiled for cho or aza (subdivisions within municipalities).
[Enumeration Districts (EDs)]
Before each census, the entire area of Japan is divided into “enumeration districts” (EDs), which are then accurately mapped.
The EDs for the 2015 census were demarcated on October 1, 2014, a year before the census date; each ED was normally a combination of two or more BUBs and contained around 50 households. In cases where a BUB consisted of many households, it was counted as one ED or was further divided into two or more EDs. The EDs were subsequently partially amended up to the census date to incorporate changes after demarcation. Thus, the EDs were finally demarcated as of the census date.
Survey items
The following questions will be asked in the 2015 census (17 questions):
(a) For household members - Name - Sex - Year and month of birth - Relationship to head of the household - Marital status - Nationality - Duration of residency at the current domicile - Place of residence five years ago - Type of activity - Name of establishment and type of business (industry) - Kind of work (occupation) - Employment status - Place of work or location of school
(b) For households - Type of household
16 - Number of household members - Type and tenure of dwelling - Type of building and number of stories
Post-census surveys
After every census since 1950, the Bureau has conducted post-census surveys to evaluate the actual coverage of the census and the reliability of the data obtained. The results of these post-census surveys are used to check the accuracy of the census results and to plan future population censuses. The 2015 post-census survey will be conducted in November 2015.
Data processing
The Bureau will entrust the data processing of the 2015 census to the National Statistics Center. After being accepted and sorted, the census questionnaires are read using Optical Character Readers (OCRs) and coded by category (industry, occupation, etc.). Subsequently, the data that has been completely checked are compiled and tabulated.
The major results of the 2015 census will be tabulated as follows:
- Preliminary counts of the population and households (Results compiled from the household listing sheets prepared by the municipalities) - Preliminary sample tabulation (Results compiled from 1% of the questionnaires sampled at random) - Basic complete tabulation on population and households (Results covering the basic characteristics of population and households in the complete count) - Basic complete tabulation on labour force (industries and occupations) (Results related to labour force status, industries and occupations in the complete count) - Basic complete tabulation on households and families (Results related to the household structure and family type in the complete count) - Detailed sample tabulation (Detailed results related to industries and occupations by sample tabulation) - Tabulation on Place of Work or Schooling (Results related to the daily commuting movements of workers and students) - Tabulation on Internal Migration (Results related to the number, direction, and characteristics of those who changed their usual place of residence)
Publication
The major results of the 2015 census will be released as follows:
- Preliminary counts of the population and households ····················· February 2016 - Preliminary sample tabulation ····················································· June 2016 - Basic complete tabulation on population and households ·················· October 2016 - Basic complete tabulation on industries ·········································· April 2017 - Basic complete tabulation on occupations ································· September 2017
17 - Detailed sample tabulation ·················································· December 2017 - Tabulation on Place of Work or Schooling ················· June 2017–December 2017 - Tabulation on Internal Migration ······························ January 2017–July 2017
In addition to the above tabulations, the Tabulations for Small Areas will be released in series by the respective small areas such as BUBs and EDs and on a grid-square basis.
They will be released on the Internet.
Use of the survey results (major examples)
(a) To enumerate the legal population to determine the amount of local allocation tax, lower house electoral districts, and number of Diet seats (b) To obtain basic data for administrative policies and measures such as employment policies, social welfare plans, community organization plans, and disaster prevention measures (c) To obtain basic data for population analysis and academic research required for administration, such as estimates of future population and number of households (d) To provide a sampling framework for various sample surveys of households and individuals
Website http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/kokusei/index.htm
(2) Current Population Estimates
Purpose
To provide major population figures for the most recent reference date during the inter-census period, the Bureau compiles two sets of Current Population Estimates: monthly nationwide estimates and annual prefectural estimates. Both sets of estimates are based on the census population and are extrapolated from vital statistics and migration statistics.
Short history
The annual estimates have been calculated since 1921, the year after the first Population Census, while the monthly estimates have been compiled since the month following the 1950 Population Census.
Reference date
The reference date of the monthly estimates is the first day of each month and that of the annual estimates is October 1.
Coverage
The population estimates cover the entire population, including foreigners who usually reside in Japan. However, the estimates exclude some foreigners such as foreign diplomatic
18 and consular corps, including their party or family members, and foreign military personnel and their family members.
Method of computation
The monthly estimates involve computing the population of the entire country by sex and five-year age groups. The estimates are computed by adding the number of births and the number of persons entering Japan to the census population and subtracting the number of deaths and the number of persons leaving Japan.
The annual estimates are computed for the prefectural populations by sex and five-year age groups and for the nationwide population, by sex and age in years. These estimates are computed based on internal migration statistics in addition to the statistics used to compute the monthly estimates. However, annual estimates are not published in the Population Census years.
The estimates are revised retroactively when the results of the more recent census become available. The annual population estimates of the inter-census periods are available for every year since 1921, the year after the first Population Census.
Publication
The annual estimates published include the “population by age (single year) and sex for Japan” and the “population by age (five-year age group) and sex for prefectures” as of October 1, in April.
Use of the survey results (major examples)
The estimates are used in various white papers and as basic data for demographic and economic analyses in national, regional, and international organizations.
Website http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/jinsui/index.htm
(3) Internal Migration Statistics
Purpose
Internal Migration Statistics are important sources of information for assessing the mobility of the population based on the records of the Basic Resident Registration, and the head of each municipality (shi, ku (of the 23 wards that make up Tokyo), machi, and mura) is responsible for preparing these registrations in accordance with the Basic Resident Registration Act.
Short history
This report was initially called the “Report on Internal Migration in Japan Derived from the Resident Registers.” However, when the Resident Registration Law (Act no. 218 of
19 1951) was revised as the Basic Resident Registration Act (Act no. 81 of 1967), this report was also renamed the “Report on Internal Migration in Japan Derived from the Basic Resident Registration.”
Coverage
These statistics cover the migration of people across the borders of municipalities, i.e., shi, ku, machi, and mura.
Method of computation
This report is compiled from the following data, which are reported to each municipality and provided to the Statistics Bureau, based on Article 37 of the Basic Resident Registration Act:
(a) Address (municipality code), sex, age (the birth data), and information on changes (reason and date of in-migration) of the in-migrants who reported their in-migration to the head of each municipality in accordance with Article 22 of the Act. (b) Address (municipality code), sex, age (the birth data), and information on changes (reason and date of in-migration) of the in-migrants registered ex officio in the Resident Record by the authority in accordance with Article 8 of the Act.
Data processing
The Bureau processes and compiles the data given by prefectural governments in statistical tables; the Bureau also tabulates records for prefectures and 21 major cities by origin and destination of migration.
Publication
The Bureau releases the results in the “Monthly Report,” which contains monthly internal migration statistics, by the end of the following month and in the “Annual Report,” which contains annual internal migration statistics, in the months of January and April.
Use of the survey results (major examples)
The survey results are used to provide basic data for generating the current population estimates and the population projection of future regional populations.
Website http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/idou/index.htm
(4) Housing and Land Survey
Purpose
The Housing and Land Survey is the most fundamental statistical survey pertaining to
20 housing conditions. Its purpose is to obtain basic data for various housing and land policy measures by investigating the actual situation of dwellings and other buildings, and the households occupying them, in order to clarify the present circumstances and trends for the entire country, including major metropolitan areas and prefectures.
Short history
The Housing and Land Survey is the most comprehensive, large-scale sample survey of housing conditions and land ownership in Japan. The survey has been conducted every five years since 1948 as the Housing Survey; it was expanded and renamed the “Housing and Land Survey” in 1998. The latest survey, which was conducted in October 2013, was the 14th survey.
Survey date
The survey date of the 2013 Housing and Land Survey was October 1, 2013.
Coverage
The survey units consisted of dwellings, other occupied buildings, and all households inhabiting these dwellings and buildings located in the enumeration districts (EDs) at the time of the survey date. However, the survey excluded the following facilities and households residing therein:
(a) Facilities under the management of diplomatic establishments and other authorized foreign or international agencies; dwellings of foreign envoys, consular officials, and their dependents (including families) (b) Facilities that are deemed to be imperial property under the management of the Imperial Household Agency (c) Jails, prisons, reformatories, detention homes, women’s shelters, and illegal immigrant detention centers (d) Camps and other facilities of the Self-Defense Forces (e) Camps and other facilities used by the U.S. Army
The survey covers the entire territory of Japan except for the following islands: - Habomai-gunto, Shikotan-to, Kunashiri-to, and Etorofu-to - Take-shima in Okinoshima-cho, Oki-gun, Shimane-ken
Sampling
A two-stage stratified sampling method was used in the 2013 survey. The first-stage sampling unit was an ED utilized in the 2010 Population Census, and the second-stage sampling unit was a dwelling unit located in an enumeration unit district, which was formed from the sample ED.
As a national average, approximately one-fifth of the EDs taken from the 2010 Population Census were sampled in the first stage (approximately 210,000 EDs were selected from approximately 1,000,000 EDs).
21 The districts listed below were excluded from sampling, as they had been designated as evacuation areas due to the effect of the Fukushima nuclear accident caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake. These districts are thus not included in the results of the Survey.
・The entire area of the following districts are excluded: Naraha-machi, Tomioka-machi, Ookuma-machi, Futaba-machi, Namie-machi, Katsurao village, Iitate village ・Some part of the following districts are excluded: Tamura City, Minamisoma City, Kawamata-machi, Hirono-machi, Kawauchi village
Survey organization
The Bureau planned and administered the 2013 survey through the following channels:
Prefectures Municipalities Statistics (to, do, fu, (shi, ku, machi, Supervisors Enumerators Households Bureau and ken) and mura)
Approximately 82,000 enumerators conducted the survey, while approximately 15,000 supervisors provided guidance to the enumerators and inspected their documents. In addition, the Bureau set up a call center so that inquiries from households could be promptly answered.
Survey method
(a) The enumerators checked all the dwellings and other occupied buildings within their assigned enumeration unit districts for the 2013 survey. Based on this, they drafted a list of households in the survey and a map of their enumeration unit districts, and delivered a questionnaire to each selected household during September 23–30, 2013. From October 1 to 24, the enumerators revisited all the selected households in their districts to collect the completed questionnaires and check the entries. In addition, households in the EDs designated by the Bureau could fill in the questionnaires by using an electronic information processing system with telecommunication lines connecting their own computers to those of the Bureau.
(b) One questionnaire, either A or B, was distributed in each enumeration unit district. Questionnaires A and B were allocated at random to individual enumeration unit districts in the national average ratio of 6:1.
(c) The questionnaires were completed by the head (or representative) of the household, while some parts were filled in by the enumerator during the interview with that person. For vacant dwellings, the enumerators completed their section of the questionnaires (except for information related to the “type of household”) based on their scrutiny of the exterior of the dwellings. In the case of households whose members were absent for some reason and thus unable to complete the questionnaire, the enumerators spoke with the household’s neighbors and completed some parts of the questionnaire, such as the name of the head or representative of the household, number of household members, type of household, number of stories in the building, construction material, type of building, type of dwelling, width of road abutting the site, site area, and building area.
22 Survey items
Questionnaires A and B that were distributed to households, and Building Survey Sheets filled out by the enumerators were used to investigate the following topics in the 2013 Housing and Land Survey dated October 1, 2013:
(1) Survey items in all unit districts in common
(a) Buildings - Number and area of dwelling rooms (in units of number of tatami mats) - Tenure of dwelling - Site area - Tenure of site (b) Dwellings - Construction materials - Situation of dilapidation - Stories of building - Type of building - Type of dwelling - Total number of dwellings in the building - Situation of house/ground rent - Year of construction - Area of floor space - Building area - Situation of facilities - Situation of enlargement or remodeling, or refurbishing work (Including repair work related to the Great East Japan Earthquake) - Type of dwelling without any occupants (c) Households - Name of head or representative of household - Type of household - Number of household members - Annual income of household (d) Main earner or head of household - Employment status - Commuting time - Situation of moving due to the Great East Japan Earthquake - Year of last relocation - Previous residence - Situation of children (e) Dwelling environment
(2) Survey items in Questionnaire B
(a) Housing and land other than present residence - Tenure of housing and land - Location - Area - Use
23 Data processing
The Bureau entrusts the survey’s data processing to the National Statistics Center.
Publication
The Interim Reports were released in July 2014 and the Final Results are to be released by March 2015.
Use of the survey results (major examples)
(a) To obtain basic data for regulation of tax on housing and land (b) To obtain basic data for administrative policies and measures, such as dwelling life policies, land use plans, and development plans (c) To obtain basic data for academic research, such as research on housing market mechanisms, and a city plan focusing on earthquake resistance or disaster prevention
Website http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/jyutaku/index.htm
24 2. Labour statistics
There are three major sources of labour statistics: sample household surveys, sample establishment surveys, and administrative records. In terms of coverage, sample household surveys, which cover the entire population, are generally the most comprehensive data sources, while sample establishment surveys and administrative records cover only those who are employed by establishments or registered at administrative offices. On the other hand, the latter two sources are useful for obtaining various data that are needed for specific policy purposes, such as labour administration.
The Bureau conducts sample household surveys on labour, while the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare conducts sample establishment surveys and compiles administrative records.
Name Cycle Conducted since Size
Labour Force Survey (F) Monthly 1947 40,000 households (100,000 persons aged 15 years and above)
Employment Status Survey (F) Quinquennial * 1956 470,000 households (1.0 million persons aged 15 years and above) (2012)
(F): Fundamental Statistical Surveys; * Conducted every three years until 1982 and every five years after 1982
(1) Labour Force Survey
Purpose
The purpose of the Labour Force Survey is to provide current data on the employment status of the population and monthly changes in employment levels.
Short history
The survey has been conducted every month since July 1947, following a test period of 10 months from September 1946 to June 1947. In 2002, the Special Survey of the Labour Force Survey, which had been conducted twice a year, was integrated into the Labour Force Survey.
The survey provides monthly basic figures on employment and unemployment, such as the number of employed persons by industry and occupation and the number of unemployed persons, mostly at the national level.
Reference date and period
The reference date for the survey is the last day of each month, except the month of December, for which the reference date is December 26. The questions in the labour force
25 status refer to the reference period of one week, which ends on the reference date.
Coverage
The survey covers all persons aged 15 years and above who mainly reside in Japan, except members of the foreign diplomatic corps, their suite and dependents, and foreign military personnel and their dependents.
Sampling
The sample is selected using a two-stage stratified sampling method, the primary sampling units being the enumeration districts (EDs) of the Population Census and the secondary sampling units being the dwelling units. All persons aged 15 years and above who mainly live in the sample dwelling units are required to respond to the survey. The overall sampling ratio is around 1:1,000.
In the initial stage of sampling, all EDs are stratified, mainly according to their industrial characteristics at the time of the latest available Population Census. From among some 1,000,000 EDs, around 2,900 EDs are selected through the stratified sampling.
In the second stage of sampling, before conducting the survey, the enumerator prepares a complete list of dwelling units for each sampled ED (containing an average of 50 households). Approximately 15 dwelling units are systematically selected from this list.
The sampled dwelling units comprise around 40,000 households in total. This sample size has remained the same since 1983, although there have been some changes in the past. Approximately 100,000 persons are included in the sample every month.
The secondary sampling units are dwelling units, not households, because the list of dwelling units provides a more stable sampling frame than that of households. In the event that the household residing in a sampled dwelling unit moves out after the list has been prepared but before the survey date, the enumerator need only visit the new occupant of the same dwelling unit rather than having to trace the whereabouts of the household that has moved out.
To enhance reliability, when measuring changes in the current month as compared to those in the previous month and in the same month of the previous year, the sample is renewed regularly under a rotation system.
Under this system, around half of the sampled dwelling units remain in the sample for two consecutive months. For comparison with the same month of the previous year, around half of the sampled dwelling units remain the same. There are always households that change addresses, but there is an overlap of slightly less than half of the sampled households between two adjacent months of the same year and between two months separated by one year.
To achieve this rotation, the entire sample is divided into eight independent sub-samples, each with its own timing for rotation, spread evenly throughout the year. Once an ED is included in the sample, it remains there for four consecutive months and then leaves the sample for eight months. Subsequently, the same ED is included in the sample again for four
26 months before finally being removed from the sample. During the four months when an ED is in the sample, two sets of dwelling units are selected: one is enumerated in the first two months, and the other, in the next two months. During the first and second years when an ED is included in the sample, the same sets of dwelling units are enumerated to maximize the overlap of the sample for comparison over the years.
As a result of adopting this system, a sampled household is usually enumerated in two consecutive months; it is then excluded from the sample for ten months. Subsequently, it is enumerated again for two months.
The list of dwelling units in the ED is reviewed every month so that changes can be incorporated. As a result, some sampled dwelling units might disappear or new dwelling units may be included in the sample. In such cases, the percentage of overlap in the sample between the two months might be affected.
Survey organization
The survey is conducted through the following channels:
Prefectures Statistics Bureau (to, do, fu, Supervisors Enumerators Households and ken)
Supervisors are selected from the staff of the prefectural governments and are responsible for training and supervising the enumerators.
Survey method
The enumerator prepares a list of all the dwelling units in the ED assigned to him or her. The supervisor selects the sample of dwelling units from the list according to the method followed by the Bureau. Thereafter, the households in these selected dwelling units are surveyed.
Two types of questionnaires are used in the survey: a basic questionnaire and a special questionnaire. Surveys are conducted using the basic questionnaire in the same two months in two successive years and using the special questionnaire only in the second month of the second year.
Within seven days before the survey week, the enumerator visits all the households in the sample dwelling units and requests them to fill in the questionnaires. Within three days after the survey week, the enumerator revisits the households and collects the questionnaires after checking the entries on the spot. The collected questionnaires are then submitted to the prefectural office, checked by the supervisors, and sent to the Bureau.
Survey items
(a) Basic questionnaire
Every month, the respondents are asked to report the following items:
27
- Name and sex - Relationship to the head of the household - Year and month of birth - Marital status - Labour force status in the full week preceding the reference date (i.e., whether employed, unemployed, or not in the labour force) - Whether seeking a job as a primary activity or as a secondary activity (for unemployed persons) - Reason for seeking a job - Weekly hours worked - Weekly days worked - Monthly days worked - Status in employment - Name, organization, and business/industry of employer or self-employed enterprise - Occupation - Total number of employees in the enterprise
(b) Special questionnaire
In the second month of the second year, the respondents are asked to report the following items:
[For employed persons] - Reason for working fewer than 35 hours a week - Desire to change number of working hours - Date of commencement of present job - Type of employment - Desire to change jobs or have an additional job - Whether previously employed in other jobs
[For unemployed persons] - Methods used to seek a job - Duration of job search - Whether seeking a job within a month - Type of job desired - Reason for not getting a job - Whether previously employed
[For persons not in the labour force] - Whether desiring to work or not - Reason for not seeking a job - Type of job desired - Whether sought a job within a year - When able to take a job - Whether previously employed
[Regarding the previous job] - Date of leaving employment
28 - Type of employment - Industry - Occupation - Total number of employees in the enterprise - Reason for leaving employment
[For persons aged 15 years and above] - Education - Total annual income
Data processing
The Bureau entrusts the survey’s data processing to the National Statistics Center. The results are tabulated as statistics for the following characteristics:
(a) Basic tabulation: - Labour force - Employed persons/employees by industry/occupation - Unemployed persons - Unemployment rate - Not in labour force - Weekly/Monthly/Annual days/hours of work
(b) Detailed tabulation: - Employees by type of employment (regular staff, part-time workers, etc.) - Employed persons having changed jobs in the past year - Employed persons by earnings from job - Those not in the labour force who wish to work
Publication
The monthly results obtained through the basic questionnaire, including the unemployment rates, are released at the end of the month following the survey and reported at the relevant cabinet meeting. The results compiled quarterly and annual basis are also tabulated for the 10 regions and the whole country.
The results based on the special questionnaires are released on a quarterly basis, two months after the last month of the survey.
The “Annual Report on the Labour Force Survey” is published in the following year.
Use of the survey results (major examples)
(a) To obtain indicators of national economic and business performance (b) To obtain basic data for planning various employment-related policies (c) To obtain basic data for studies on the problems of employment and unemployment in the research and academic communities
Website
29 http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/roudou/index.htm
(2) Employment Status Survey
Purpose
The Employment Status Survey aims to provide detailed data on the structure of employment and unemployment at national and regional levels.
[Comparison with the Labour Force Survey]
The Employment Status Survey differs from the Labour Force Survey in the following respects:
(a) It provides much more detailed data than the Labour Force Survey. The latter can provide only limited data because it prioritizes the rapid reporting of the most recent data. (b) It provides far more detailed breakdowns and cross-classifications in its tables than the Labour Force Survey.
In accordance with these characteristics, the sample used in the Employment Status Survey is much larger than that used in the Labour Force Survey, with the former covering around one million people aged 15 years and above, while the latter covers around 100,000 such persons.
The Employment Status Survey obtains data based on the usual employment status rather than the actual employment status, which is investigated in the Labour Force Survey and the Population Census. The Employment Status Survey focuses on the usual employment status because this information is more appropriate for analyses of certain aspects such as under employment or taking up secondary jobs, because surveys of the actual status of employment, which cover only a weekly period, cannot provide an accurate picture of these aspects.
Short history
From 1956 to 1982, the survey was generally conducted every three years. After 1982, the interval was increased to five years, and the latest survey, which was conducted in 2012, was the 16th survey.
Survey date
The survey was taken as of midnight on October 1, 2012.
Coverage
The 2012 survey, which was conducted in the designated enumeration districts (EDs), covered household members aged 15 years and above in approximately 470,000 households living in the sampled units (buildings or parts of buildings capable of housing one household) selected by the mayors of cities and the heads of towns and villages in the manner prescribed by the Bureau.
30 The following persons, however, were excluded from the enumeration: (a) Foreign diplomatic corps or consular staff (including their suite and their family members) (b) Foreign military personnel or civilians (including their family members) (c) Persons living in camps or ships of the Self-Defense Forces (d) Persons serving sentences in prisons or detention houses (e) Inmates of reformatory institutions or women’s guidance homes
Sampling
This survey adopted a two-stage stratified sampling method where the EDs of the 2010 Population Census constituted the first-stage sampling units and dwellings constituted the second-stage sampling units.
In the first stage, stratified random sampling was used to select census EDs from the entire country.
In the second stage, random sampling was used to select a specific number of dwellings from among the households living in the sample districts.
The survey enumerated all the household members aged 15 years and above living in the selected dwellings in the sample EDs.
Survey organization
The 2012 survey was conducted through the following channels:
Prefectures Municipalities Statistics (to, do, fu, (shi, ku, machi, Supervisors Enumerators Households Bureau and ken) and mura)
In addition, the Bureau set up a call center so that inquiries from households could be promptly answered.
Survey method
Enumerators delivered the questionnaires to each household to be surveyed, collected the completed questionnaires, and interviewed the household members as necessary. The questionnaires were completed by either household members aged 15 years and above or the head of the household, who also answered certain questions asked by the enumerators.
In addition, in the EDs designated by the Bureau, households could fill in the questionnaires through an electronic information processing system with telecommunication lines connecting their own computers and those of the Bureau.
Survey items
The Employment Status Survey mostly covered the same topics on every occasion, with some slight changes to incorporate topics of current interest. The 2012 survey covered the
31 following topics:
(a) Items related to household members aged 15 years and above
[For all household members] Name, sex, marital status, relationship to the head of the household, month and year of birth, educational status e.g. school attendance, year of graduation, type of school, when you started living at present address, reason for changing address, address before changing address, type of income sources, usual labour force status, whether doing any training or self-development, type of training or self-development, whether providing childcare, whether used childcare leave or other support system, kind of childcare leave system, etc., whether providing family care, whether used family care leave or other support system, kind of family care leave system, etc., whether your own main job was affected at the time by impact of the Great East Japan Earthquake, whether evacuated, present situation of evacuation and address at the time of the earthquake
[For persons engaged in work] a) Main job Employment status, type of employment at place of work, whether started a business of your own or not, employed with or without a definite contract term and a term per contract, number of renewals of employment contract, type of legal organization at place of work, name of place of work, contents of business at place of work, contents of work, number of persons engaged in enterprise, days worked per year, regularity of work, working hours per week, income, when you took up the job, whether wishing to change the present job etc.; or to have an additional job, whether wishing to extend working hours, etc.; reason for wishing to change the present job, status of job you wished to take, whether seeking a job, wish for working hours, labour force status a year ago, and whether you had a job b) Second job Employment status and contents of business at place of work c) Previous job When left the previous job, duration engaged in work (years and months), reason for leaving the previous job, employment status, type of employment at place of work, contents of business at place of work, contents of work, relationship between present job or previous job and “first job,” timing of the opening for “first job,” and employment status and type of employment for “first job”
[For persons not engaged in work] a) Wish to work etc. Whether wishing to work, reason for wishing to work, kind of job wished to take, status of job wished to take, whether seeking a job, reason for not seeking a job, duration of seeking a job, intention to take up a job, reason for not wishing to work, labour force status a year ago, and whether had working experience b) Previous job When left the previous job, duration engaged in work (years and months), reason for
32 leaving the previous job, employment status, type of employment at place of work, contents of business at place of work, contents of the work, relationship between present/ previous job and “first job,” timing of getting “first job,” and employment status and type of employment for “first job”
(b) Items related to households Number of household members less than 15 years old, annual income of household as a whole, and number of household members 15 years old or more
Data processing
The Bureau entrusts the survey’s data processing to the National Statistics Center. The major tabulation points are as follows:
- General items related to the usual labour force status - Items related to days worked per year and working hours per week - Items related to industry and the number of persons engaged in the enterprise - Items related to occupation, status in employment, and annual earnings - Items related to the labour force status of the head of the household and of the household members
Publication
The results of the 2012 survey were published in the following four volumes:
- Results for Japan ·································································· March 2014 - Results for Prefectures ··························································· March 2014 - Results for Ordinance-designated Cities ······································ March 2014 - Summary Table for Region ······················································ March 2014 - Summary Results and Analyses of the 2012 Employment Status Survey (Time series) ····················································································· March 2014
Use of the survey results (major examples)
(a) To obtain basic data for administrative policies and measures such as employment, tax, and gender equality policies (b) To obtain basic data for calculating macroeconomic figures such as the gross domestic expenditure (c) To obtain basic data for studies on the problems of employment and unemployment at universities, research institutes, and other institutions
Website http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/shugyou/index.htm
33 3. Statistics on establishments and enterprises
Name Cycle Conducted since Size
Economic Census for Business Frame (F) Quinquennial 2009 all establishments
Economic Census for Business Activity (F) Quinquennial 2012 all establishments
Unincorporated Enterprise Survey (F) Quarterly 1952 3,700 establishments
Survey of Research and Annual 1953 18,200 business Development (F) enterprises, non-profit institutions and public organizations, and universities and colleges
Monthly Survey on Monthly 2008 39,000 establishments Service Industries (G) and enterprises, etc. Annual 2013 76,500 establishments and enterprises, etc.
Establishment and Enterprise Census Quinquennial * [1947–2006] 5,911,000 establishments ※ (2006)
Survey on Service Industries Quinquennial [1989–2004] 430,000 establishments ※ (2004)
(F): Fundamental Statistical Surveys; (G): General Statistical Surveys; ※The Establishment and Enterprise Census and Survey on Service Industries are combined in the Economic Census
* This census was conducted every three years until 1981. Since the 1996 census, a simplified census has been conducted within three years of the quinquennial census.
(1) Economic Census for Business Frame
Purpose
The objectives of the Economic Census for Business Frame are, by investigating the economic activity of establishments and enterprises, to identify the basic structure of establishments and enterprises (e.g., the number of persons engaged) in all industries on a national and regional level and to obtain basic information for conducting various statistical surveys.
Short history
The Japanese government faced the urgent challenge of developing primary statistics that could succinctly capture the entire picture of Japan’s economic activities. Certain characteristics of Japan’s previous industrial statistics, which are mentioned below, made it difficult for the government to utilize the statistical data and imposed major limitations on the estimation of the gross domestic product (GDP).
34
(a) Industrial statistics, in general, were provided by industries or by the relevant ministries. (b) Different surveys had different reference dates and survey cycles. (c) The concepts and definitions of the survey terms were not uniform among the different censuses and statistical surveys. Under these circumstances, in a policy called “Toward the Structural Reform of Official Statistics” (June 10, 2005, the Committee for Development of Economic and Social Statistics, Cabinet Office), it was determined that “a census focusing on establishments and enterprises should be implemented in 2009, and another census focusing on accounting items should also be implemented in 2011, utilizing the information of the 2009 survey.” Moreover, the “2005 Basic Policy on Economic and Fiscal Management and Structural Reform” (June 21, 2005, Cabinet Approval) referred to the need to develop statistics corresponding to the changes in industrial structure, such as the Economic Census, which succinctly captures the entire picture of economic activity in Japan.
This led to the merging of large-scale statistical surveys such as the Establishment and Enterprise Census [1947–2006] and the decision to establish the Economic Census.
Census date
The 2014 census was conducted as of July 1, 2014.
Coverage
This census covers all establishments and enterprises, excluding unincorporated establishments related to agriculture, forestry, fisheries, domestic services, foreign governments, and international agencies operating in Japan.
Census organization
The 2014 census consisted of Survey A, which covered all private establishments and enterprises, and Survey B, which covered all public establishments in both the central and local governments.
(1) Survey A (for private establishments and enterprises) was conducted through the following channels:
(a) Survey by enumerators:
Prefectures Municipalities Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (to, do, fu, (shi, machi, and ken) and mura)
Private Supervisors Enumerators establishments
35
(b) Survey by direct mailing:
・ Survey by the central government
Private Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications establishments
・ Survey by prefectures
Prefectures Private (to, do, fu, and ken) establishments
・ Survey by municipalities
Municipalities Private (shi, machi, and mura) establishments
(2) Survey B (for public establishments) was conducted through the following channels:
Statistics Government National Bureau ministries establishments
Prefectures Prefectural (to, do, fu, establishments and ken) Municipalities Municipal (shi, machi, establishments and mura)
Survey methods
The 2014 census was conducted using four different methods, i.e., surveys by enumerators, by the central government, by prefectures, and by municipalities, depending on the size of the establishment and enterprise surveyed. In this survey (2014), online response was newly introduced for the survey by enumerators．
Survey A (for private establishments)
1. Survey by enumerator
Enumerators visited each establishment, distributed questionnaires, and collected the completed questionnaires.
2. Survey by central government, prefecture, or municipality
36
The establishment first selected the method of response, i.e., they could choose whether to submit the survey questionnaire via the Internet or to mail it back to the concerned government authority. The central government (or prefecture or municipal authority) then distributed the questionnaires (soft or hard copies) via the Internet and collected them after they were completed.
Survey B (for public establishments)
3. In the case of municipal establishments, the municipal mayors were responsible for sending and collecting the questionnaires; in prefectural establishments, this was done by the prefectural governors, and in national establishments, this duty was performed by the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications through other ministers.
[Enumeration districts (EDs)]
The entire area of Japan is divided into EDs in order to clarify the area of which each enumerator is in charge, avoid duplication in the compilation of statistics, and obtain basic information for conducting various statistical surveys on establishments and enterprises.
In the Economic Census, the EDs are demarcated by the number of enterprises in units named “cho” or “aza.” Each ED includes around 50 enterprises. However, if an ED has more than 50 enterprises, it is further subdivided.
The EDs were established as of June 1, 2013, and after some revision, they were finally demarcated as of July 1, 2014, when the census was conducted.
Survey items
The 2014 census was conducted using two types of questionnaires: I and II. Questionnaire I was for private establishments, while questionnaire II was for public establishments. Each questionnaire surveyed the following items:
(1) Questionnaire I (for private establishments) (a) Items concerning establishments - Name and telephone number - Address - Startup date - Number of employees - Type of business conducted - Form of business conducted - Single Unit/Head/Branch - Amount of Total Annual Sales (Income) of Establishment (b) Items concerning enterprises - Legal organization - Amount of capital - Ratio of foreign equity - Account closing month - Whether there is a holding company or not
37 - Existence of parent company - Name of parent company - Address and telephone number of parent company - Existence and number of subsidiaries - Number of regular employees of the entire enterprise - Type of main business of the entire enterprise - Existence and number of branches (2) Questionnaire II (for public establishments) - Name - Telephone number - Address - Number of persons employed - Type of operations - Name, telephone number, and location of the establishment (e.g., headquarters) to which management or operation is entrusted - Amount of Total Annual Sales (Income) of Entire Organization
Data processing
The Bureau entrusts the data processing to the National Statistics Center. The major tabulation points are as follows:
(a) Establishments - Items related to industry - Items related to number of employees - Items related to startup date - Items related to Amount of Total Annual Sales (Income) (b) Incorporated enterprises - Items related to industry - Items related to type of organization - Items related to capital - Items related to ratio of foreign equity - Items related to existence of parent company, subsidiaries - Items related to number of regular employees - Items related to Amount of Total Annual Sales (Income)
Publication
The major results of the 2014 census will be published as follows:
- Preliminary results…………………………………………………………………June 2015 - Final results……………………………………………………………..From November 2015 - Results concerning establishments and enterprises - Results by town/village sections - Results by survey area - Grid square statistics - Results with matching parent companies
Use of the survey results (major examples)
38
(a) To obtain basic data for administrative policies and measures such as economic policies, employment policies, environmental policies, and policies for medium- and small-sized enterprises (b) To obtain basic data for calculating macroeconomic figures such as the gross domestic expenditure (c) To provide a sampling framework for various sample surveys on establishments and enterprises
Website http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/e-census/index.htm
(2) Economic Census for Business Activity
Purpose
The objectives of the Economic Census for Business Activity are, by investigating the economic activity of establishments and enterprises, to identify the structure of establishments and enterprises in all industries on a national and regional level and to obtain basic information for conducting various statistical surveys.
Short history
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) in July 2009 conducted the “2009 Economic Census for Business Frame,” the aim of which was to identify the establishments and enterprises in Japan. Based on the results of this Census, in February 2012, MIC and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry conducted the “2012 Economic Census for Business Activity,” this time with the focus on identifying the activities of these establishments and enterprises during 2011, in cooperation with many other governmental Ministries and Agencies. The results from this Census are intended for use by business people since they also cover business administration, and not only government and researchers. When we conduct the “2012 Economic Census for Business Activity,” we integrated some of the major surveys, such as the “Establishment and Enterprise Census” and the “Survey on Service Industries,” into the new Census. Moreover, this new Census was to cover the question items contained in the “Census of Commerce in 2009” and the “Census of Manufactures 2011,” in order to reduce the burden on survey respondents.
Census date
The census was conducted as of February 1, 2012.
Coverage
This census covers all establishments and enterprises, excluding unincorporated establishments related to agriculture, forestry, fisheries, domestic services, and public establishments in both central and local governments, foreign governments, and international agencies operating in Japan.
39 Census organization
The survey for the 2012 census conducted both by enumerators and by direct mailing.
(1)Survey by enumerators:
Ministry of Internal Affairs Prefectures Municipalities and Communications, (to, do, fu, (shi, ku, machi, Ministry of Economy, Trade and ken) and mura) and Industry
Private Supervisors Enumerators establishments
(2)Survey by direct mailing:
(a) Survey by the central government
Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Private
Ministry of Economy, Trade establishments
and Industry
(b) Survey by prefectures
Prefectures Private (to, do, fu, and ken) establishments
(c) Survey by municipalities
Municipalities Private (shi and ku) establishments
Survey methods
(1) Survey by enumerators In the case of single-unit establishments, an enumerator visited each establishment, distributed a questionnaire, and collected the completed questionnaire. (2) Survey by direct mailing In the case of enterprises having head and branch offices, the relevant authorities directly mailed questionnaires to these enterprises, which can then return the completed questionnaires (in either printed or electronic form) by mail or via the Internet.
Survey items
The Census surveyed following items: - Name and telephone number - Location - Presence or absence of relocation and name change
40 - Startup date - Legal organization - Type of cooperative - Type of school, etc. - Type of political, business, and cultural organization and religious organization - Distinction of single-unit/head/branch, name and location of main office - Head office/other - Number of branch offices - Business activity - Type of establishment - Type of management/subsidiary work - Number of persons engaged - Presence or absence of electronic commerce and its proportion - Presence or absence of a capital investment and its acquisition value - Number of privately owned vehicles - Presence or absence of owned land and/or building - Capital and ratio of foreign equity - Account closing month - Sales(income)/ordinary revenue - Name of goods, sector with the highest sales, presence or absence of commission or repair fees - Ratio of transfer of goods between head office and branch office - Annual sales for goods rental and lease in the goods rental and leasing industry - Proportion of income by trading partner - Expense - Amount of contract and amount paid for lease contract - Tangible fixed assets - Production volume and sales - Value of stored products - Values of semi-processed products and works-in-progress, and value of raw materials and fuel - Volume of manufactured goods shipments, value of manufactured goods shipments, name of products, volume of manufactured goods inventory - Receipts for production done for others, product name of contract manufacturing, other revenue - Total amount of liquor tax, cigarette tax, gasoline tax, and local gasoline tax - Proportion of direct exportation value - Main raw materials - Industrial site and water - Working process - Value of commodity stock - Proportion of retail sales of each product group - Proportions of retail sales of each type of sales - Adoption of self-service system - Sales floor space - Business hours - Type of facility or store - Participation in a chain store organization - Type of construction for each type of management
41 - License number for construction - Capacity and number of guest rooms for accommodation services - Number of cases, releases, visitors, users and students - Proportion of contracts with peers - Presence or absence of credit business and/or mutual aid activities
Data processing
The two ministries entrusted the data processing to the National Statistics Center. The major tabulation points are as follows:
(a) Establishments - Items related to industry - Items related to number of employees - Items related to type of organization
(b) Incorporated enterprises - Items related to industry - Items related to type of organization - Items related to capital - Items related to number of regular employees
Publication
The major results of the 2012 census were released as follows:
- Preliminary report ------January, March 2013 - Final report ------August, November 2013 and February 2014
Use of the survey results (major examples)
(a) To obtain basic data employed in settlements of local consumption taxes, calculations of subsidies to municipalities, etc. (b) To obtain basic materials to determine policies pertaining to the economy, environmental protection, employment, small businesses, etc. (c) To obtain basic materials to determine policies to promote industries, regulate traffic, instruct business administration, and so on (d) To obtain basic materials used for calculating GDP and other economic indices (e) To obtain basic materials considered while making business plans, making decisions to launch a new store, etc.
Website http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/e-census/2012/index.htm
(3) Unincorporated Enterprise Survey
Purpose
42 The Unincorporated Enterprise Survey aims at providing comprehensive data on the activities and economic status of unincorporated enterprises in Japan. The survey is a valuable source of data on small enterprises because such data are scarce in Japan. The survey collects data on such enterprises on a quarterly basis.
Short history
This survey was first carried out in April 1952. Until July 1961, the survey was known as the “Unincorporated Commercial and Manufacturing Enterprise Survey,” as it covered only the manufacturing, wholesale, and retail trade industries. In July 1961, some service industries were added to the coverage, and the survey was renamed the “Unincorporated Enterprise Survey.”
In April 2002, some new questions were added to the survey items, such as those relating to business confidence and the age of proprietors. The sample of unincorporated enterprises was also increased from around 3,000 to 4,000 to improve the accuracy of the survey results.
Survey date
This survey includes two types of surveys: the Trend Survey and the Structural Survey. The Trend Survey is conducted quarterly, i.e., for the periods of April to June, July to September, October to December, and January to March. Sample enterprises are surveyed for one year, divided into four rotation groups—each of which is exchanged quarterly with sliding spans of three months, because three-quarters of all samples remain the same for the sake of leveling shifts at the exchange of samples.
The Structural Survey is carried out for samples of the Trend Survey in January to March every year of the yearly status, as of the last day of the previous year.
Coverage
The survey covers about 4,000 unincorporated establishments in the following industries, according to the Japan Standard Industrial Classification (Rev.12, November 2007): Division E - Manufacturing Division I - Wholesale and retail trade Division K - Real estate and goods rental and leasing 70 Goods rental and leasing Division L - Scientific research, professional and technical services 73 Advertising 74 Technical services, not elsewhere classified (n.e.c.) (limited to “744” commodity inspection and non-destructive testing services and “745” surveyor certification) Division M - Accommodations, eating and drinking services (excl. “765” drinking houses and beer halls and “766” bars, cabarets and night clubs) Division N - Living-related and personal services and amusement services 78 Laundry, beauty, and bath services 79 Miscellaneous living-related and personal services (excl. “792” domestic services) Division R – Services, n.e.c. 89 Automobile maintenance services 90 Machine, etc. repair services, except otherwise classified
43 91 Employment and worker dispatching services 92 Miscellaneous business services
Sampling
The Unincorporated Enterprise Survey employs a three-stage stratified sampling method. The municipalities constitute the primary sampling unit. Throughout Japan, 166 cities and 24 towns and villages are selected using a stratified sampling method. The secondary sampling unit is the unit area formed by combining several enumeration districts (EDs) of the Economic Census. From each sampled municipality, one unit area is selected randomly. The tertiary sampling unit is the establishment. Establishments are selected from the list of establishments prepared by the Economic Census. From each sampled unit area, 20 enterprises are selected in the case of cities, and 15 in the case of towns and villages. The overall sample size is around 4,000 enterprises.
Survey organization
The survey is conducted through the following channels:
Prefectures Statistics (to, do, fu, Supervisors Enumerators Establishments Bureau and ken)
Survey method
Enumerators distribute questionnaires to each unincorporated establishment selected by the Bureau and subsequently collect the completed questionnaires from the business proprietors or their representatives.
Survey items
(a) Trend Survey [Business sentiment of the business proprietor] - Operational status - Sales - Net operating profit - Inventories of products, commodities, and primary materials - Cash flow - Workforce in the current period [Persons engaged] - Number of persons engaged - Salaries and wages [Operating income, expenses, etc.] - Total of sales and purchases - Inventories - Operating expenses - Investment in plant and machinery
44 (b) Structural Survey [Type of operation] - Date of commencement of business - Operating days and hours - Type of land and building ownership used for business purposes - Affiliation with chain organizations - Tax return type [Business proprietor] - Age of business proprietor - Whether or not there is a successor to take over the business [Operating income, expenses, etc.] - Sales and purchases - Inventories - Operating expenses - Investment in plant and machinery [Persons engaged] - Number of persons engaged and their salaries or wages - Hiring and employment separation [Use of personal computers] [Problems in managing business] [Management policy] - Future plans for business development - Plans for incorporating enterprise [Assets and liabilities of the business]
Data processing
The Bureau entrusts the survey’s data processing to the National Statistics Center. The following results are tabulated:
(a) Trend Survey - Operational status - Sales - Net operating profit - Investment in plant and machinery (b) Structural Survey - Assets and liabilities of businesses - Age groups of business proprietors - Net operating profit - Presence or absence of successors
Publication
The results of the Trend Survey are officially announced twice, first for the provisional version and second for the final version of the two months after the completion of each survey period, while those of the Structural Survey are released in July of the year following the survey year.
The results of the Trend Survey are published in the “Quarterly Report on the Unincorporated Enterprise Survey (Trend Survey)” and the “Annual Report on the
45 Unincorporated Enterprise Survey (Trend Survey),” while those of the Structural Survey are published in the “Report on the Unincorporated Enterprise Survey (Structural Survey).”
Use of the survey results (major examples)
(a) To obtain basic data for administrative policies and measures related to small-sized enterprises (b) To obtain basic data for calculating macroeconomic figures such as the quarterly estimates (QE) of the GDP (c) To obtain basic data for academic research, such as economic analysis and projection
Website http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/kojinke/index.htm
(4) Survey of Research and Development
Purpose
This survey is designed to provide the basic materials for promoting science and technology in Japan by studying research and development (R&D) activities currently carried out in the country. The data collected include the number of persons employed in R&D and the overall expenditure on R&D.
Short history
The survey was initiated in August 1953 as the Basic Statistical Survey of Research Institutions; it was renamed the “Survey of Research and Development” in March 1960, following a major revision of the survey method.
The coverage of this survey was extended to include all companies with a capital of one million yen or more (including public corporations), with the exception of a few industries. The statistical unit for reporting R&D activities was changed from R&D establishments to business enterprises with or without R&D divisions.
Later, from the 1995 survey onward, the survey excluded all companies with a capital of less than ten million yen, with the exception of a few industries.
From the 2002 survey onward, the survey was extensively revised to cover even more industries, along with the introduction of some changes in sampling and the survey items. The aim was to make the survey compatible with recent changes in the R&D environment, such as advances in the activities of non-manufacturing industries and the globalization of R&D activities conducted by businesses.
Reference date and period
The survey is conducted every year. The reference date of the survey is March 31 for data pertaining to personnel and capital. For data pertaining to sales, including R&D expenditures, the reference period is the fiscal year ending on the latest settling day prior to March 31.
46
Coverage
The survey covers business enterprises, non-profit institutions and public organizations, and universities and colleges. The statistical units are as follows:
(a) Business enterprises Enterprises (b) Non-profit institutions and public organizations Organizations (c) Universities and colleges The universities and colleges include faculties of universities and other facilities (including postgraduate courses), junior colleges, technical colleges, research institutes attached to universities, Inter-university Research Institute Corporations, and the Institute of National Colleges of Technology.
Sampling
The survey covers approximately 13,400 business enterprises, 1,100 non-profit institutions and public organizations, and 3,700 universities and colleges, which makes a total of approximately 18,200 entities. These are selected based on the following criteria:
(a) The business enterprises are divided into strata based on the existence of research activities (yes or no: 2 categories), capital (4 classes), and industries (40 categories), using the roster created based on the results of the 2009 Economic Census for Business Frame and the previous survey. The prescribed number of business enterprises was selected from each stratum. (b) The non-profit institutions and public organizations are surveyed using a list prepared based on reports from the central and local governments. (c) All universities and colleges in Japan are surveyed using the list compiled with materials from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
Survey method
The Bureau entrusts the questionnaire distribution to a company that mails the questionnaires to three respondents for business enterprises, non-profit institutions and public organizations, and universities and colleges. The completed questionnaires are directly returned to the Bureau by mail or via the Internet. The option of Internet questionnaire collection has been offered since the 2003 survey.
Survey items
The survey items are enumerated using three questionnaires: Questionnaire A for business enterprises, Questionnaire B for non-profit institutions and public organizations, and Questionnaire C for universities and colleges. Among business enterprises, Questionnaire A-I is used for enterprises with a capital of 100 million yen or more, while Questionnaire A-II is used for enterprises with a capital of less than 100 million yen.
47 (a) Questionnaires A-I and A-II - Name - Location - Present status of the business enterprise - Total number of persons employed - Capital - Sales - Technology balance of payments - Countries or territories and amount of distinction or origin in technology exports and imports - Whether the enterprise conducts R&D activities or not - Names of research laboratories, research divisions, sections, etc., of the company - Number of persons employed in R&D (researchers, assistant research workers, technicians, clerical and other supporting personnel, and researchers with PhDs) - Number of researchers that have joined or left the business enterprise - Number of researchers by specialty (20 specialties) - Intramural expenditure on R&D, including labour costs, materials, expenditure on fixed assets, lease fees, other expenses, and depreciation of tangible fixed assets - Expenditure on R&D by type of activity (basic research, applied research, development) - Expenditure on R&D by product and service field (31 categories) (Questionnaire A-I only) - Expenditure on R&D by selected objective (recovery and reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake, promotion of green innovation, promotion of life innovation, life sciences, information technology, environmental science and technology, materials, nanotechnology, energy, space exploration, and oceanology) (Questionnaire A-I only)
- R&D funds received from public organizations, companies, private universities, non-profit organizations, and overseas institutions - R&D funds paid out to public organizations, companies, private universities, non-profit organizations, and overseas institutions
(b) Questionnaires B and C - Name - Location - Whether the organization conducts R&D activities or not (Questionnaire B only) - Total number of persons employed (Questionnaire B only) - Total expenditure - Description of main operations and R&D activities (Questionnaire B only) - Type of university or college (faculty of university, junior college, technical college, research institute attached to university, Inter-university Research Institute Corporation, and the Institute of National Colleges of Technology, or other) (Questionnaire C only) - Field of science of the main R&D activity (11 categories) (Questionnaire B only) - Names and locations of branches - Field of science of the main R&D activity (12 categories) (Questionnaire C only) - Number of persons employed in R&D (same as in Questionnaire A) - Number of persons employed in R&D (regular researchers including teachers, doctor course students, medical staff, and others), external non-regular researchers, assistant research workers, technicians, and clerical and other supporting personnel, regular researchers with Ph. D.’s and non-R&D personnel (Questionnaire C only) - Number of researchers that have joined or left the organization (institution) - Number of researchers by specialty (26 specialties) (Questionnaire B only) - Number of regular researchers by specialty (44 specialties) (Questionnaire C only) - Intramural expenditure on R&D, including labour costs, materials, expenditure on fixed
48 assets, lease fees, and other expenses - Expenditure on R&D by type of activity (same as in Questionnaire A-I) - Expenditure on R&D by selected objective (same as in Questionnaire A-I) - R&D funds received (same as in Questionnaire A-I) - R&D funds paid out (same as in Questionnaire A-I)
Data processing
The Bureau entrusts the survey’s data processing to the National Statistics Center. The major tabulation points are as follows: - Items related to expenditure on R&D - Items related to the number of persons employed in R&D - Items related to the international exchange of technology
Publication
The Bureau released the 2014 survey results on December 12, 2014.
Use of the survey results (major examples)
(a) To obtain basic data for administrative policies and measures such as the Priority Policy Program (b) To obtain basic data for white papers released by the government such as those on science and technology (c) To obtain basic data for calculating macroeconomic figures such as the GDP (d) To provide basic data to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) publications for international comparisons (e) To obtain basic data for academic research, such as economic analysis and projection
Website http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/kagaku/index.htm
(5) Monthly Survey on Service Industries
Purpose
The main aim of the survey is to provide the best possible monthly estimates of sales (income) and the number of persons working in establishments for the service industries and, subsequently, to enhance the accuracy of economic indicators such as Quarterly Estimates (QE) of GDP.
Short history
Over the last several decades, the service industries’ share in the Japanese economy has steadily risen to exceed 70% in 2006, in terms of both GDP and employment. However, adequate statistics to understand the entire picture of these trends have not been in place, and the understanding of the trends of the production and the number of employees of the entire
49 service industry had become an urgent issue facing the government. Consequently, a new survey was initiated in October 2008 to meet the increasing needs for statistics pertaining to the service industries. In addition, an annual survey (Expanded survey) has been conducted since 2013 in order to provide more detailed data such as sales by prefecture for local governments and private companies.
Reference date and period
The monthly survey is conducted regarding sales for each month, the number of persons working at the location of establishment on the business day nearest to the end of the month and demand situation for each month. The annual survey (expanded survey) conducted in June once a year is in principle conducted on a calendar year basis regarding sales for each year, and regarding the number of persons working at the location of establishment on the business day nearest to the end of June.
Coverage
The survey covered enterprises, etc. [1] or establishments whose main industry is classified under the following groups [2] of the Japan Standard Industrial Classification (Rev.12, November 2007):
Major groups Medium groups G Information and 37 Communications communications 38 Broadcasting 39 Information services 40 Internet based service 41 Video picture, sound information, character information production and distribution H Transport and 42 Railway transport postal activities 43 Road passenger transport 44 Road freight transport 45 Water transport 46 Air transport 47 Warehousing 48 Services incidental to transport 49 Postal activities, including mail delivery K Real estate, goods 68 Real estate agencies rental and leasing 69 Real estate lessors and managers 70 Goods rental and leasing L Scientific research, 72 Professional services, n.e.c. professional and 73 Advertising technical services 74 Technical services, n.e.c. M Accommodations, 75 Accommodations eating and drinking 76 Eating and drinking places services 77 Food takeout and delivery services N Living-related and 78 Laundry, beauty and bath services personal services and 79 Miscellaneous living-related and personal services amusement services 80 Services for amusement and hobbies
50 O Education, learning 82 Miscellaneous education, learning support support
P Medical, health care 83 Medical and other health services and welfare 84 Public health and hygiene 85 Social insurance and social welfare R Services, n.e.c. 88 Waste disposal business 89 Automobile maintenance services 90 Machine, etc. repair services, except otherwise classified 91 Employment and worker dispatching services 92 Miscellaneous business services 95 Miscellaneous services
Note: [1] An “enterprise” is defined as a corporation (excluding foreign companies) conducting business activities or an establishment of individual proprietorship. “Enterprise, etc.” refers to those entities, including a part of public enterprises, etc. operated by the national government or a local government. Note: [2] Some of the medium groups such as “71 Scientific and development research institutes” in “L Scientific research, professional and technical services” are excluded. Note: [3] Enterprises, etc. or establishments in “G Information and communications” are not surveyed in the expanded survey.
Sampling
(1) Enterprise, etc. A The survey is conducted on enterprises, etc. belonging to the industries that do not fit a survey by sampling establishments, such as the minor group “371 Fixed telecommunications,” “372 Mobile telecommunications,” and “382 Private-sector broadcasting except cablecasting,” and the medium group “42 Railway transport,” “46 Air transport” or “49 Postal activities including mail delivery service.” B The survey is conducted on all enterprises belonging to the industries other than the above A, with capital, investment, or fund (hereinafter “capital, etc.”) of 100 million yen or more. The monthly survey covers about 13,000 enterprises, etc. The annual survey (expanded survey) covers about 9,500 enterprises, etc., excluding those in “G Information and communications.”
(2) Establishment Samples are selected by stratified random samples for groups based on the number of persons working at the location of establishment for establishments which belong to the industries other than the above A and do not belong to enterprise, etc. falling under the above A or B. For sampling establishments, all establishments in the stratum above a certain scale are surveyed. The monthly survey covers about 26,000 establishments. The annual survey (expanded survey) covers about 67,000 establishments, excluding those in “G Information and communications.”
Survey organization
The Bureau entrusts the implementation of the survey to research companies. The survey
51 is conducted through the following channels:
Research Establishments and Statistics Bureau companies Enterprise, etc.
* Enumerators may visit establishments with less than 10 employees which do not submit questionnaires.
Research Statistics Bureau Enumerators Establishments companies
Survey method
[Survey by Mail] In principle, questionnaires are distributed and collected by mail. However, for establishments whose number of persons working at the location of establishment is less than 10 and for which questionnaires have yet to be collected, the enumerators can directly visit the surveyed establishment and collect questionnaires.
[Online Survey] Depending on the request of the surveyed enterprises, etc. or establishments, questionnaires are distributed and collected online.
Survey items
[Monthly survey] The monthly survey uses two types of questionnaires: the “questionnaire for the first month” and the “monthly questionnaire.” While the former is to be filled at the beginning of the survey, the latter is used from the second month onward. The following items are surveyed:
(1)First month questionnaires For Enterprise, etc. For Establishment Categories of main business of establishments Number of persons working at the location Number of persons working at the location of establishment and breakdowns (of of establishment and the breakdowns (of survey month and the previous month) survey month and the previous month) Monthly sales (income) and breakdowns Monthly sales (income) (of survey month by business activity (of survey month and and the previous month) the previous month) Demand situation by business activity (of Demand situation (of survey month) survey month)
(2)Monthly questionnaires For Enterprise, etc. For Establishment Number of persons working at the Number of persons working at the location location of establishment and breakdowns of establishment and the breakdowns (of (of survey month) survey month)
52 Monthly sales (income) and breakdowns Monthly sales (income) (of survey month) by business activity (of survey month) Demand situation by business activity (of Demand situation (of survey month) survey month)
[Annual Survey] (Expanded survey) The annual survey uses “expanded survey questionnaires.” The following items are surveyed:
Expanded survey questionnaires For Enterprise, etc. For Establishment Types of major business of establishments Legal organization and the amount of Legal organization and the amount of capital, etc. capital, etc. Period for posting sales (income) Period for posting sales (income) Annual sales (income), etc. and Annual sales (income), etc. breakdowns by business activity and prefecture Number of persons working at the Number of persons working at the location of establishment by business location of establishment and the activity and prefecture breakdowns
Data processing
The Bureau entrusts the survey’s data processing to the National Statistics Center.
Publication
[Monthly survey] The preliminary survey results are released two months after the survey month. The final survey results are released five months after the survey month. In addition, the “Annual Report on the Monthly Survey on Service Industries” is published in the following year. The results will be published on reports and displayed on the Bureau website.
[Annual Survey] (Expanded survey) The results of the annual survey (expanded survey) is released as a “preliminary report” in late December of the survey year and as a “final report” around autumn of the next year. The results will be published on reports and displayed on the Bureau website.
Use of the survey results (major examples)
To obtain basic data for economic indicators such as Quarterly Estimates (QE) of GDP
Website http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/mssi/index.htm
53
(6) Establishment and Enterprise Census [1947–2006]
Purpose
The purpose of the Establishment and Enterprise Census was to collect fundamental data on establishments and enterprises, such as geographical distribution, industrial characteristics, and number of persons employed. The Establishment and Enterprise Census was one of the most important data sources for economic policy planning and regional analyses. It also provided a directory of establishments and enterprises, which could be used as a sample frame for various sample surveys on establishments and enterprises.
Short history
The Establishment Census was conducted for the first time in 1947. After the second census was conducted in 1948, it was conducted every three years until 1981. Since then, it was conducted every five years until 2006. New survey items were added to in the 1996 census to keep up with current trends among enterprises engaging in more international and diversified activities, and the name of the census was also changed from the “Establishment Census” to the “Establishment and Enterprise Census.” The survey was terminated in 2006 with the commencement of the Economic Census, which covers all industries.
Census date
The census date was generally October 1; however, there were several circumstance-driven exceptions in the census years.
Coverage
The 2006 Establishment and Enterprise Census covered all establishments and enterprises in Japan as of the census date. An establishment was defined, in principle, as a business unit based at one site under a single management. If a business unit operated businesses at different sites, the business unit at each site was regarded as a separate establishment. If two or more business units operated a business at one site, both business units were regarded as separate establishments. There were, however, exceptions in the case of some industries, based on their particular operational methods. An enterprise in this census was a joint stock company, a limited or unlimited partnership company, a limited liability company, or a mutual insurance company, as defined in terms of the legal organizational status.
The following types of establishments and enterprises were excluded from the 2006 Establishment and Enterprise Census:
(a) Individual proprietor establishments in A-Agriculture, B-Forestry, and C-Fisheries, and establishments of 832-Domestic services and 94-Foreign governments and international agencies in Japan in Q-Services, n.e.c. according to the Japan Standard Industrial Classification Rev. 11 (b) Establishments located in the premises of institutions requiring entrance fees, such as vendors in theaters, recreational grounds, sports stadiums, and stations (Note that
54 independently managed establishments in amusement parks are part of the survey.) (c) Individual proprietary establishments operating on commission (e.g., part-time home businesses) using no particular business equipment (d) Establishments where the persons engaged do not receive income from the business (e) Establishments that were closed down temporarily or not in operation, and thus engaged no persons (f) Seasonal establishments not in operation at the time of the census
Survey organization
The 2006 Establishment and Enterprise Census consisted of Survey A, covering all private establishments and enterprises, and Survey B, covering all public establishments in both the central and local governments.
(a) Survey A (for private establishments and enterprises) was conducted through the following channels:
Prefectures Municipalities Statistics Private (to, do, fu, (shi, ku, machi, Supervisors Enumerators Bureau establishments and ken) and mura)
(b) Survey B (for public establishments) was conducted through the following channels:
Statistics Government National Bureau ministries establishments
Prefectures Prefectural (to, do, fu, establishments and ken Municipalities (shi, ku, machi, Municipal establishments and mura)
Survey methods
(a) Survey A Enumerators visited establishments in the enumeration districts (EDs) to which they were assigned and requested the respondents to complete the questionnaire for Survey A. In addition, to supplement and maintain the results of Survey A, a simplified census was conducted within three years of conducting the Establishment and Enterprise Census.
(b) Survey B In the case of establishments surveyed by the municipalities, the respective municipal mayors were responsible for sending and collecting the questionnaires, while in the case of establishments surveyed by the prefectures, prefectural governors sent and collected the questionnaires. In the case of establishments surveyed by the Bureau, the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications was responsible for sending and collecting the questionnaires.
55
[Enumeration districts (EDs)]
The entire area of Japan was divided into EDs that had been accurately mapped and established during the 1972 Census. Subsequently, the EDs have been partially amended in consecutive censuses to incorporate certain changes. However, the number of establishments in the EDs became distorted to such an extent that it adversely affected the census. Therefore, all the EDs were revised for the 1996 census as of March 1, 1996. This revision aimed at restoring the balance among EDs in terms of the number of establishments, with each ED comprising approximately 30 establishments, providing clear boundaries for EDs, and facilitating statistical links between the Population Census, and the Establishment and Enterprise Census. In the 2006 census, the EDs were established by amending the EDs used in the 2001 Establishment and Enterprise Census.
These EDs provided a basis for census-taking not only for the Establishment and Enterprise Census but also for the Census of Commerce and the Census of Manufacturers conducted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. The EDs were also used in the execution of statistical surveys—in particular, they provided basic area units for compiling small-area statistics and served as the basic sampling frame for various sample surveys on establishments.
Survey items
Only the most fundamental survey items were investigated through the Establishment and Enterprise Census, and these items have remained essentially unaltered in consecutive censuses, with only a few changes introduced to meet new demands from statistics users. The 2006 census covered the following items:
(a) For all private establishments - Name and telephone number - Location - Legal organization - Whether head or branch office, name and location of head office - Establishment startup date - Number of employees - Type and form of business conducted at the establishment (b) For single unit or head establishments of companies - Year and month of incorporation for registration purposes - Capital and ratio of foreign equity - Parent company or subsidiary, name and location of parent company - Company merger and separation on or after October 2, 2001 - Electronic commerce - Number of branch offices - Number of regular employees of entire company - Type of business activity conducted by entire company
Data processing
The process of tabulation of the Establishment and Enterprise Census differed from that of the other surveys conducted by the Bureau. In the other surveys, coding and data inputting
56 were carried out by the National Statistics Center; however, for the Establishment and Enterprise Census, industries were coded at the municipal level and data were input at the prefectural level. The statistics divisions of the prefectures then submitted their individual records of establishments to the National Statistics Center on magnetic tape, which was responsible for tabulating the Census results; these are then sent to the Bureau for release and publication.
The major tabulation points of the 2006 census were as follows: (a) Establishments - Items related to industry - Items related to number of employees - Items related to type of legal organization - Items related to head or branch office - Items related to startup date - Items related to type of establishment (b) Incorporated enterprises - Items related to industry - Items related to number of regular employees - Items related to date of establishments - Items related to ratio of foreign equity - Items related to parent company, subsidiaries, and affiliated companies - Items related to engagements in electronic commerce
Publication
The major results of the 2006 census were published as follows:
- Interim Report……………………………………………………………………… July 2007 - Results of establishments and enterprises by prefecture……October–December 2007 - Results of establishments in the whole of Japan..…………………… December 2007 - Results of incorporated enterprises in the whole of Japan………… December 2007
- Results of incorporated enterprises in the whole of Japan—Single-unit establishments and head establishments matched with domestic branches by name.…………June 2008
Use of the survey results (major examples)
(a) To obtain basic data for administrative policies and measures such as economic policies, employment policies, environmental policies, and policies for medium- and small-sized enterprises (b) To obtain basic data for calculating macroeconomic figures such as the Gross Domestic Expenditure (c) To provide a sampling framework for various sample surveys on establishments and enterprises
Website http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/jigyou/index.htm
(7) Survey on Service Industries [1989–2004]
57
Purpose
The purpose of the Survey on Service Industries was to provide data on the distribution and structure of establishments engaged in service industries.
Short history
The Survey on Service Industries was conducted every five years from 1989 to 2004. The survey was terminated in 2009 with the commencement of the Economic Census, which covers all industries.
Survey date
The last survey was conducted on June 1, 2004.
Coverage
The 2004 survey covered the following industries as classified under the Japan Standard Industrial Classification (Rev. 11, March 2002):
Division H - Information and communications 41 - Video pictures, sound information, character information production and distribution (including only the following minor group) 415 - Services incidental to video pictures, sound information, character information production and distribution Division L - Real estate 69 - Real estate lessors and managers Division M - Eating and drinking places, accommodation 70 - General eating and drinking places 72 - Accommodation Division N - Medical, health care, and welfare 73 - Medical and other health services (including only the following minor groups) 734 - Maternity clinics and nursing 735 - Other health practitioners 736 - Services incidental to medical care 74 - Public health and hygiene 75 - Social insurance and social welfare Division O - Education, learning support 77 - Miscellaneous education, learning support Division P - Compound services 79 - Cooperative associations, n.e.c. Division Q - Services, n.e.c. 80 - Professional services, n.e.c. 81 - Scientific and development research institutes 82 - Laundry, beauty, and bath services 83 - Miscellaneous living-related and personal services (excluding 832 Domestic services) 84 - Services for amusement and hobbies 85 - Waste disposal business
58 86 - Automobile maintenance services 87 - Machine, etc., repair services, except where otherwise classified 88 - Goods rental and leasing 89 - Advertising 90 - Miscellaneous business services 91 - Political, business, and cultural organizations 92 - Religion 93 - Miscellaneous services
Sampling
The sample size of the 2004 survey was around 430,000 establishments. These establishments were selected based on the following criteria:
(a) All establishments engaging 30 or more persons at the time of the 2001 Establishment and Enterprise Census (b) New establishments engaging 30 or more persons and those established after the 2001 Establishment and Enterprise Census in designated enumeration districts sampled at a ratio of 1:6 (c) Establishments engaging fewer than 30 persons at the time of the 2001 Establishment and Enterprise Census, sampled using a proportionate systematic sampling method for prefectures and minor industrial groups
Survey organization
The 2004 survey was conducted through the following channels:
Prefectures Municipalities Statistics (to, do, fu, (shi, ku, machi, Supervisors Enumerators Establishments Bureau and ken) and mura)
Survey method
In the 2004 survey, the enumerators delivered the survey questionnaires to the establishments in their respective designated areas and subsequently collected the completed questionnaires, which were filled in by the designated persons of the establishments.
Survey items
The 2004 survey covered the following items:
- Name and telephone number - Location - Legal organization - Head or branch office - Establishment startup date - Number of persons engaged in the establishment - Business activities of the establishment - Capital - Type of startup
59 - Income (annual) - Ratio of incomes by business or activity - Ratio of incomes by other parties - Expenses (annual) - Wages and salaries (annual) - Equipment investment (annual) (excluding expenditure on land acquisition)
Data processing
The Bureau entrusted the survey’s data processing to the National Statistics Center. The major statistical tables of the 2004 survey were as follows:
- Number of establishments - Number of persons engaged - Income - Expenses - Equipment investment
The results of the 2004 survey were estimated in terms of a ratio estimate, using the number of establishments in the 2004 Establishment and Enterprise Census by prefecture, minor industry group, and type of legal organization as benchmarks.
Publication
The results of the 2004 survey were published in the following volumes:
- Japan……………………………………………………………………. March 2006 - Regional………………………………………………………………… March 2006 - Summary Report……………………………………………...…….. September 2006
Use of the survey results (major examples)
(a) To obtain basic data for calculating the local consumption tax (b) To obtain basic data for administrative policies and measures, such as industrial development policies and labour policies, as well as for private sector use (c) To obtain basic data for the Input-Output Tables
Website http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/service/index.htm
(8) Establishment Frame Database
Purpose
The establishment frame database is a database with information on all the establishments and enterprises operating in Japan. Its main objectives are to produce precise and efficient statistics and to reduce the burden on surveyed establishments and enterprises. The information on establishments and enterprises that is recorded in the database is utilized
60 in sampling for surveys conducted by the ministries and administrative agencies. Moreover, the database also records the number of times each establishment and enterprise is surveyed, thus preventing any unfairness of burden. In terms of the precision and efficiency of the survey, the Bureau maintains a database containing administrative information and data from other surveys, and if necessary, the Bureau can directly contact establishments and enterprises. Furthermore, the database is capable of producing new types of statistics by combining the various survey data and administrative information. Based on these operations and functions, the database will play a key role in the future industrial surveys.
Background
In the mid-1980s and through the 1990s, many Western countries constructed new databases called “Business Registers” that could generate precise statistics with minimal expenditure. During the same time, the Japanese government treated the establishment frame database as an urgent theme. Based on these circumstances, Article 27 (1) of the new Statistics Act, which came into force in April 2009, places the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications in charge of constructing and managing the establishment frame database. Based on the related regulations and plans, the Bureau started the database renovation in 2010 and began the operation of the new establishment frame database in 2013. In 2013, the “Business Register Frame” based on information in the new database was released for the first time and will be produced regularly every year.
Items included in the database
In addition to the survey items of the Economic Census, the Bureau stores fundamental data, such as the name of an establishment or enterprise, its address, industrial classification, number of persons employed, and revenue (or income.) Moreover, the Bureau can store data that are extracted from other industrial surveys and closely related to the Economic Census, which are in high demand.
Function of the database
At present, the Bureau is planning the functions of the database before starting its construction; the main functions of the database are as follows:
1. To provide the business register frame This is a key function of the database. When any ministry or administrative agency decides to conduct a survey, it needs basic information regarding establishments and enterprises for the sampling. The database could provide data in this regard, and the Bureau should maintain such a database from other surveys and administrative information in order to provide precise data whenever such need arises.
2. To reduce the burden on respondents The government should prevent overburdening of respondents and spread out the surveys over as wide a group of respondents as possible. The database maintains the number of times each establishment and enterprise has been surveyed. Hence, it can be used to ensure that no establishment or enterprise is burdened to
61 an unfair extent.
3. To generate new statistics By combining the data collected from various surveys and the administrative information received from other ministries and administrative agencies, it is possible that the ministries and administrative agencies can generate new statistics, compare data with time lines, and compile regional statistics from geographical information.
62 4. Statistics on household income and expenditure, price statistics
The Bureau conducts four sample surveys concerning household income and expenditure as well as prices. - Family Income and Expenditure Survey (monthly) - National Survey of Family Income and Expenditure (quinquennial) - Survey of Household Economy (monthly) - Retail Price Survey (monthly)
The Bureau also compiles the Consumer Price Index (CPI) using the results of the Retail Price Survey and the Family Income and Expenditure Survey as weights. The four surveys and the CPI are outlined below.
Name Cycle Conducted since Size (Family budgets) Family Income and Expenditure Monthly 1946 9,000 households Survey (F) National Survey of Family Income Quinquennial 1959 56,400 households (2014) and Expenditure (F) Survey of Household Economy (G) Monthly 2001 30,000 households (Prices) Retail Price Survey Monthly 1950 26,000 stores and (Trend Survey) (F) establishments (prices) 25,000 households (house rent) Retail Price Survey Monthly 2013 3,000 stores (Structural Survey) (F)
National Survey of Prices (F) Quinquennial [1967–2007] 205,000 stores and ※ establishments (2007)
Consumer Price Index (P) Monthly 1946 - ______(F): Fundamental Statistical Surveys; (G): General Statistical Surveys; (P): Processed statistics ※The National Survey of Prices is combined in the Retail Price Survey (Structural Survey)
(1) Family Income and Expenditure Survey
Purpose
The Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES) aims to provide comprehensive data regarding the income and expenditure of households on a monthly basis.
Short history
The first Family Budget Survey was conducted in 1926. Since it was initially a regular
63 survey, it was conducted annually from 1931 to 1943. After a brief hiatus during World War II, the Consumer Price Survey (CPS) was introduced in 1946 to collect monthly data on household expenditure and item-by-item purchases as well as purchase prices. However, since this survey covered only the outflow of money in the household economy and lacked data regarding income, the Family Income Survey (FIS) was introduced in 1948, which surveyed only the income-related data of households, independently of the CPS. In 1950, the CPS and the FIS were combined to form a single survey called the Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES), the original version of the present survey. However, this survey covered only urban areas with a sample size of approximately 4,200 households selected from 28 major cities. In 1962, the sample size was expanded to cover the entire country and consisted of approximately 8,000 households from 168 sample municipalities. In 2002, the FIES incorporated one-person households, which had been independently surveyed by the Income and Expenditure Survey for One-person Households from 1995 until 2001, and introduced survey items regarding savings and liabilities (only for households of two or more persons). The sample size of the FIES, consequently, has been enlarged to include approximately 9,000 households.
Reference date and period
This survey on the daily income and expenditure of households is carried out for six months for households comprising two or more persons. For one-person households, however, the survey is conducted for three months. The survey on yearly income refers to the one year prior to the first survey month, and the survey on savings and liabilities refers to the first day of the third survey month.
Coverage
The survey unit includes households residing throughout Japan, except one-person student households. The following households, however, are excluded from the survey:
(a) Households that manage restaurants, hotels, boarding houses or dormitories, sharing their dwellings (b) Households that serve meals to boarders, even when managing boarding houses is not the household occupation (c) Households with four or more live-in employees (d) Households whose heads are absent for long periods (three months or more) (e) Households of foreigners
Sampling
The FIES covers all households in Japan. The number of households involved in this survey was estimated at around 50 million as of 2013.
The survey employs a three-stage stratified sampling method. The sampling units in the three stages are the municipalities, unit areas consisting of two neighboring enumeration districts (EDs) of the Population Census, and households.
The first stage of the selection involves the 168 municipalities. Subsequently, the following numbers of unit areas are selected for each municipality, depending on its size:
64 - Cities with prefectural governments: 16 - Cities of Kawasaki, Sagamihara, Hamamatsu, Sakai, and Kitakyushu: 16 - Medium-sized cities (cities with a population of 150,000 or more): 6 - Small cities A (cities with a population of 50,000 or more): 4 - Small cities B (cities with a population of less than 50,000), towns, and villages: 2
Larger numbers of unit areas are allocated for the 23 wards that make up the centre of Tokyo and the cities of Yokohama, Nagoya, Osaka, and Naha.
In the third stage, in each sample unit area, six households are selected randomly from among households comprising two or more persons, while one household is selected from among the one-person households. The former households are surveyed for six months, while the latter are surveyed for three months. The overall sample size is approximately 9,000 households.
Survey organization
The FIES is conducted through the following channels:
Prefectures Statistics Bureau (to, do, fu, Supervisors Enumerators Households
and ken)
Survey method
In the FIES, enumerators provide a family account book to the sample households and request them to record all their receipts and disbursements in the book (the sample households of individual proprietors, corporative administrators, and professional service operators are not required to report receipts). The quantity of purchase of items such as food and household durable goods is also recorded. Moreover, the enumerators prepare a “household schedule” based on their interviews with the household representatives, and the households are requested to report their yearly income. In addition, all households consisting of two or more persons are requested to report their savings and liabilities as of the first day of the third survey month.
Survey items
The FIES surveys the following items:
(a) Household schedule - Number of household members - Occupation and industry of earners - Type of dwelling etc.
(b) Family account book - Daily income and expenditure
(c) Yearly income schedule - Yearly income and its breakdown
65 (d) Savings schedule - Amounts of savings and liabilities - Plans to purchase home or land
Data processing
The Bureau entrusts the survey’s data processing to the National Statistics Center.
The Center summarizes receipts and disbursements according to the classification system adopted for the survey. It tabulates data on income, expenditure, and quantity of purchase in the form of average figures per household per month.
The results are tabulated as statistics for the following household characteristics:
- Level of annual income - Level of regular wages and salaries - Number of household members - Age group of the head of the household - Occupation of the head of the household - Industry of enterprise in which the head of the household is employed - Size of enterprise in which the head of the household is employed - Family composition - Tenure of dwelling
Publication
Preliminary reports on the income and expenditure of households comprising two or more persons are published on a monthly basis at the end of the month following the survey; these are then reported at cabinet meetings.
Preliminary reports on one-person households as well as all the households (aggregates of one-person households and households comprising two or more persons) are published on a quarterly basis, approximately a month-and-a-half after the survey month.
The results for the savings and liabilities of households comprising two or more persons are also published on a quarterly basis five months after the survey month.
Annual average figures are published in the “Annual Report on the Family Income and Expenditure Survey.”
Use of the survey results (major examples)
(a) To obtain indicators of national economic and business trends (b) To obtain basic data for administrative policies and measures such as tax policies, social welfare plans, community organization plans, and agricultural measures (c) To obtain basic data for calculating macroeconomic figures such as Gross Domestic Expenditure and the CPI (d) To obtain basic data for a variety of other purposes, such as econometric analysis and market research
66 Website http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/kakei/index.htm
(2) National Survey of Family Income and Expenditure
Purpose
The National Survey of Family Income and Expenditure (NSFIE) is a large-scale quinquennial sample survey. It aims to collect and compile comprehensive data on household income; expenditure; savings; loans; major durable goods owned by the household; and the status of dwellings, houses, and land owned by the household on a regional as well as nationwide basis.
[Comparison with the FIES]
Although there is a similar survey called the Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES), which is conducted on a monthly basis, its main object is to reveal nationwide household trends in average family income and expenditure over time. Since the sample size of this survey is as small as 9,000 families, the monthly survey is not appropriate for performing detailed cross-section analyses. On the other hand, the present NSFIE is designed to sample approximately 56,400 households (including 4, 700 one-person households), hence enabling detailed analyses based on various household characteristics such as income group, household age group, etc. and geographical areas such as regions, prefectures, etc., which are beyond the scope of the monthly survey.
Short history
The survey has been conducted every five years since 1959. The 12th survey was conducted in 2014.
Reference period
This survey was carried out in the months of September, October, and November. For one-person households, however, the survey was conducted in October and November, and the survey on pocket money given to household members aged 18 years or above was conducted for one month during the survey period. The survey on major durable goods owned by households had the reference date of October 31, while that on savings and loans has the reference date of November 30. The following explanation is based on the method used for the 2014 survey.
Coverage
The 2014 NSFIE utilized a sample of approximately 51,700 households comprising two or more persons and 4,700 one-person households.
The sample universe of the survey comprises all households residing in Japan; however, the following types of household were excluded:
67
(a) For households comprising two or more persons - Households operating eateries, lodges, or boarding houses from the dwelling units wherein they resided - Households with four or more live-in employees - Households of foreigners (b) For one-person households - Households of persons less than 15 years old - Households operating eateries, lodges, or boarding houses from the dwelling units wherein they resided - Households with one or more live-in employees - Households of foreigners - Students - Institutional households - Households living in camps of the Self-Defense Forces
Sampling
The sampling method for the NSFIE has been essentially the same since its inception. The sampling is carried out separately for households comprising two or more persons and for one-person households.
For households comprising two or more persons, the sampling method is a combination of two- and three-stage stratified sampling. In the urban areas (cities), all 791 cities are surveyed using a two-stage sampling method, the primary sampling unit being unit areas consisting of two enumeration districts of the Population Census and the secondary sampling unit being households. From each unit area, 11 households are selected at random. At least 22 sample households are allocated to each city. A three-stage sampling method is utilized in the non-urban areas (towns and villages), wherein 212 of all 929 towns and villages in Japan are selected by stratified sampling. Subsequently, in the sample towns and villages, a two-stage sampling method is utilized to select households in the same way as in the urban areas. The 2014 survey sampled a total number of 51,656 households, indicating a sampling ratio of around 1:900.
For one-person households, sample households are selected randomly from the same sample unit areas as households comprising two or more persons. The total sample for one-person households was 4,696 for the entire country.
Survey organization
The 2014 NSFIE was conducted through the following channels:
Prefectures Municipalities Statistics (to, do, fu, (shi, ku, machi, Supervisors Enumerators Households Bureau and ken) and mura)
Survey method
68 In this survey, the enumerators distributed a family account book among all sample households and requested them to record all receipts and disbursements in the book. The family account books were of two types: “Family Account Book A” and “Family Account Book B”; the respondents had to enter accounts of their income and expenditure in the former, while they had to enter the type of goods purchased in the latter, in addition to the account of their income and expenditure. The survey for Family Account Book A was conducted in September and October, while that for Family Account Book B was conducted in November. Moreover, the “Durable Goods Questionnaire” was completed by the survey households and collected by enumerators at the end of October, while the “Yearly Income and Savings Questionnaire” was completed by the survey households at the end of November. The survey households were also requested to complete the “Household Questionnaire” on September 1, in the case of households comprising two or more persons, and on October 1 in the case of one-person households. In addition, households in the EDs designated by the Bureau could fill in questionnaires via an electronic information processing system with telecommunication lines connecting the Bureau’s computers with those of the households.
Survey items
The survey consisted of the following items:
(a) Family account book - Item-wise amounts of receipt or disbursement - Types of goods purchased (b) Yearly income and savings questionnaire - Yearly income and type - Balance of deposits and life insurance - Premiums paid and current values of stocks, trusts, and shares - Balance of monthly and yearly installments paid toward the purchase of dwelling houses and land; construction, reconstruction, and extensions of buildings; and other items (c) Durable goods questionnaire - Volume of ownership of about 30 major durable goods, including furniture, coolers and heaters, household equipment, reading and hobby-related equipment, and motor vehicles - Date of acquisition of about 30 of these items (d) Pocket money book - Pocket money and its use (e) Households questionnaire - Name - Relationship to the head of the household - Sex - Age - Marital status - Child-care leave - Whether working or not - Industry and occupation - School - Reason for the absence of family members not found in the household - Whether or not the households contain elderly persons in need of nursing
69 - Places of residence of the children of the heads of households - Whether households had been affected by natural disasters - Total floor space, type of building, ownership status, facilities, presence or absence of land revenue, area of land, year of construction, and year of taking possession of land or dwelling - Housing and housing lots other than the present residence
Data processing
The Bureau entrusted the survey’s data processing to the National Statistics Center.
Publication
The results of the 2014 survey are published in consecutive provisional reports, followed by the final reports as listed below:
- Income and Expenditures - Expenditure on Commodities - Places of Purchasing, Purchase Region - Major Durable Goods, Savings and Liabilities - Distribution of Households - Specific Household Groups - Households with Aged Persons - Family Assets - Reference Material
Use of the survey results (major examples)
(a) To obtain basic data for administrative policies and measures such as pension plans, tax policies, and social welfare plans (b) To obtain basic data for elucidating and comprehensively analyzing the status of consumer households in terms of trends and ownership, and identifying differences between consumer households (c) To obtain basic data for calculating macroeconomic figures such as Gross Domestic Expenditure
Website http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/zensho/index.htm
(3) Survey of Household Economy
Purpose
The Survey of Household Economy (SHE), complementing the FIES, is intended to grasp conditions surrounding consumption in terms of a) products related to information and communication technology, and b) expensive products and services with low frequency of consumption.
70
Short history
The implementation of this survey is based on the Prime Minister’s instructions issued in February 2000, namely, that “It is crucial to establish economic statistics that can adequately monitor movements in times of conspicuous changes in the economic structure. As such, further improvements should be made in order to swiftly and accurately grasp the actual conditions of consumption and investment.”
From January 1 to February 28, 2001, the Bureau conducted the “Pilot Survey for Grasping Personal Consumption Trends in IT-related Consumption and Large Consumption.” After “the Council for the implementation of the new personal consumption survey” had considered the implementation of the survey, the survey was conducted as the “Survey of Household Economy” from October 2001 onward.
Reference date and period
The SHE uses two questionnaires (A and B); the survey using Questionnaire B covers one year, while that using Questionnaire A refers to the first month of the survey.
Coverage
The survey unit is the households in the entire area of Japan. The following households are, however, excluded as inappropriate households:
(a) One-person student households (b) Inpatients in hospitals, inmates of reformatory institutions, etc (c) Households which manage restaurants, hotels, boarding houses or dormitories, sharing their dwellings (d) Households which serve meals to the boarders even though not managing boarding houses as an occupation (e) Households with four or more living-in employees (f) Households whose heads are absent for a long time (three months or more) (g) Foreigner households
Sampling
This survey employs a two-stage stratified sampling method, wherein the entire country is stratified according to region and city population. The primary sampling unit corresponds with the enumeration district (EDs) of the 2010 Population Census, and the secondary sampling unit is the household. The survey selects a total of 3,000 EDs and 10 households—including one one-person household—at random from each ED. The overall sample size is 30,000 households.
Survey organization
The SHE is conducted through the following channels:
Private survey Statistics Bureau agency Enumerators Households
71 The Bureau is in charge of planning and conducting this survey, including arranging for the required documents and supervising the survey work of the private survey agency.
Survey method
The survey is entrusted to a private survey agency. Questionnaires are delivered to the households by enumerators. Either collection by enumerators or mail-in by the households is used to collect the questionnaires. Enumerators collect the questionnaires of the first, 6th and 10th months of the survey period after January 2013, and they were collected in the first and 6th months from April 2008 to December 2012. From January 2014, it is also possible for survey households to answer on the Internet.
Survey items
The following items are surveyed:
(a) Questionnaire A - Items related to the household - Utilization of electronic money and reward services (b) Questionnaire B - Items related to the household (changes from the previous month) - Monthly expenditure on expensive and infrequently purchased goods and services - Total monthly expenditure of the household - Use of the Internet related to consumption
Data processing
The Bureau entrusts the survey’s data processing to the National Statistics Center. The results are tabulated as statistics for the following items:
- Household characteristics - Use state related to electronic money - Monthly expenditure per household for expensive and infrequently purchased goods and services
Publication
The results are published approximately a month-and-a-half after the survey month. The annual average figures are published in the “Annual Report on the Survey of Household Economy.”
Use of the survey results (major examples)
(a) To obtain basic data for a variety of purposes, such as policy planning, econometric analysis (b) To obtain basic data for calculating macroeconomic figures such as Gross Domestic Expenditure and the Family Expenditure Index
72 Website http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/joukyou/index.htm
(4) Retail Price Survey
The survey consists of two parts: the “Trend Survey” that aims to clarify the monthly trend of prices, and the “Structural Survey” that aims to clarify, the price structure by region and store type.
Website http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/kouri/index.htm
(A)Retail Price Survey (Trend Survey)
Purpose
The Retail Price Survey (RPS) is conducted on a nationwide basis to obtain data pertaining to the prices of commodities and services, which are important elements of consumer expenditure.
Short history
The survey was started in 1950 as an authorized component of the Fundamental Statistics. Until 1961, the survey covered only urban areas, but since 1962, its coverage has been expanded to include rural areas. The number of items covered by this survey has also increased.
Survey date
The survey comprises the price survey, the rent survey, and the lodging charge survey.
For the price survey, the prices collected refer to the Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday of the week that includes the 12th day of the survey month. With regard to fresh foods and cut flowers, prices are collected three times a month—on the Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday of the weeks including the 5th, 12th, and 22nd day of the survey month.
The days of reference for the rent survey include the Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday of the week containing the 12th day of the survey month.
The days of reference for the lodging charge survey include the Friday and Saturday of the week containing the 5th day of the month.
Coverage
(a) Price survey The survey covers the retail prices of approximately 730 commodities and services at around 26,000 outlets in 167 municipalities, i.e., cities, towns, and villages.
(b) Rent survey
73 The survey covers the monthly rents and total floor space of approximately 25,000 rental houses in which households reside in 167 municipalities.
(c) Lodging charge survey The survey covers the per-night accommodation charges at approximately 530 hotels, including Japanese-style inns in 101 municipalities.
Sampling
The price and rent surveys are conducted in 167 selected municipalities, with reference to the economic sectors, prefectural populations, and geographical features, while the lodging charge survey is carried out in 101 municipalities selected from cities with prefectural governments and tourist spots.
(a) Price survey Around 590 price survey districts are chosen in the selected municipalities. The prices are collected from stores surveyed within the survey districts.
(b) Rent survey A total of 1,221 rent survey districts, equivalent to the EDs of the Population Census, are chosen by sampling with a probability proportional to size by the selected municipalities. The survey covers all the households residing in rental houses in the survey districts.
(c) Lodging charge survey The survey covers hotels and Japanese-style inns that have large numbers of guests in selected municipalities.
Survey organization
The survey is conducted through the following channels:
(a) Survey by enumerators
Prefectures Statistics (to, do, fu, Supervisors Enumerators Price reporters Bureau and ken)
(b) Survey by the prefectural authorities
Prefectures Statistics (to, do, fu, Price reporters Bureau and ken)
(c) Survey by the Bureau
Statistics Price reporters Bureau
Prefectural officials who are designated as “supervisors” oversee the fieldwork of the enumerators and are responsible for collecting the prices of certain items. A total of 131
74 supervisors and 744 enumerators are appointed for the RPS; the enumerators are appointed in each sample city, town, and village.
Survey method
(a) Survey by enumerators Before starting the survey, enumerators receive data pertaining to the survey items and their specifications from the Bureau. Subsequently, the enumerators visit outlets or households, collect prices through interviews, and record them using portable equipment such as personal digital assistants (PDAs). After entering the collected prices into PDAs, the enumerators send the data to the Bureau through the telecommunication lines of their homes on the designated days. (b) Survey by prefectural authorities Prefectural officials survey prices through interviews. (c) Survey by the Bureau The Bureau officials survey prices through interviews.
Survey items
The survey covers the prices of approximately 530 goods and services, after designating detailed common specifications and units for individual items sold throughout the country. The prices collected are the normal retail prices, thus excluding temporarily reduced prices due to events such as clearance sales.
(a) Price survey The survey covers retail prices of commodities and services.
[Items surveyed by enumerators] -‘Food, alcoholic beverages, domestic utensils, etc., which consumers usually purchase in their residential districts and the prices of which vary by district -‘Clothing, electrical appliances, etc., which consumers usually purchase in their representative commercial areas or in large retail stores of cities, towns, and villages and the prices of which differ from stores to store - Seasonal goods, recreational goods, etc., the prices of which vary little between stores and districts as well as movie admission fees, forwarding charges, gasoline, etc., the prices of which are surveyed in each sample city, town, and village, irrespective of the survey district
[Items surveyed by the prefectural governments] Water charges, hospital charges, etc., the prices of which are almost uniform in each prefecture or city, town, and village
[Items surveyed by the Bureau] Railway fares, electricity, etc., the prices of which are uniform nationwide or within a region
(b) Rent survey The survey covers monthly rents and the total floor space of rental properties.
- Private housing rents are surveyed by the enumerators. - Public housing rents managed by a prefecture, municipality, prefectural housing
75 corporation or city housing corporation are surveyed by the prefectural governments. - Housing rents managed by the Urban Renaissance Agency are surveyed by the Bureau.
(c) Lodging charges survey The survey collects the accommodation charges for two persons for one night on a weekday and on the day before a holiday, which are then converted to charges per person.
- The prefectural governments survey the lodging charges for one night with two meals or one night with breakfast on a weekday and on the day before a holiday in establishments operated by the private sector. - The Bureau surveys the lodging charges for one night with two meals in establishments operated by the public sector.
Data processing
The Bureau entrusts the following tabulation to the National Statistics Center:
- Retail prices of commodities and services - Rents per month and total floor space - Lodging charges
Publication
The survey results are released on the Friday of the week containing the 26th day of each month, in principle; these include the retail prices for the preceding month in cities with prefectural governments and populations of 150,000 or more and in the Ku-area of Tokyo (23 wards that make up the center of Tokyo) as well as the nationwide uniform prices and charges for the current month.
The survey results are published in the “Annual Report on the Retail Price Survey.”
Use of the survey results (major examples)
(a) To establish a standard for the automatic revision of pension levels (b) To establish a standard to calculate correction factors reflecting trends in consumer prices, such as the price of land and so on. (c) To obtain basic data for calculating the CPI (d) To obtain basic data for administrative policies and measures such as monetary policies, social welfare plans, and public utility charges
Website http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/kouri/doukou/index.htm
(B)Retail Price Survey (Structural Survey)
76 Purpose
The Retail Price Survey (Structural Survey) aims to annually clarify prices by region, store type, etc., by conducting three types of survey: (1) a survey on price differences between regions; (2) a survey on prices by store type; and (3) a survey on prices by specification. The survey has been conducted since January 2013.
Short history
The price structure had been grasped by the National Survey of Prices conducted once every five years. However, as changes in the consumption and distribution structure had accelerated, it became difficult to understand the changes in the price structure accurately by conducting a statistical survey on a 5-year cycle. A survey to annually check the price differences between regions and prices by store type and specification, which had been conducted in the National Survey of Prices, was added to the Retail Price Survey as “Structural Survey,” while the name of the existing Retail Price Survey was changed to “Trend Survey.” It was decided that the National Survey of Prices would no longer be conducted.
Survey date
The survey on price differences between regions is conducted on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday of the week that contains the 12th day of each odd month. The survey on prices by store type is conducted on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday of the week that contains the 12th day of each even month. The survey on prices by specification (Tokyo Special-wards Area) is conducted on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday of the week that contains the 12th day of each even month.
Coverage
The survey covers 135 cities in total, including 47 prefectural capitals (including the Tokyo Special-wards Area), and 88 non-capital cities in the country which are not covered by the Trend Survey (the former Retail Price Survey).
Sampling
The entire areas of cities surveyed are designated as price survey areas. A predetermined number of outlets are selected for each survey area in order of the sales amount by survey item (if it is difficult to select them by sales amount, in order of management scale based on the number of employees, sales floor space, etc.) and are designated as survey outlets.
Survey organization
The survey is conducted through the following channels:
Prefectures Statistics (to, do, fu, Supervisors Enumerators Price reporters Bureau and ken)
77 Prefectural officials who are designated as “supervisors” oversee the fieldwork of the enumerators and are responsible for collecting the prices of certain items. A total of 131 supervisors and 135 enumerators are appointed for “Structural Survey”; the enumerators are appointed in each sample city.
Survey method
Enumerators visit the outlets to be surveyed in the area in their charge to collect retail prices of products by interviews with the representative person of each outlet, and enter the data into their terminals. After they finish entering all the data including prices in the area in their charge, they send the collected data to the Bureau on an appointed day. All data sent will be reviewed by the Bureau and prefectures. Before conducting the survey, enumerators have received, from the Bureau, various up-to-date information needed for the survey to be conducted in the month, such as survey items and specification information, via their terminals.
Survey items
Survey items are classified into two categories as follows: - Items that consumers purchase mainly in their neighborhood, and that are subject to the Structural Survey, such as food, household consumables, etc. - Items that consumers purchase mainly in representative commercial districts or large-scale stores in each municipality, and that are subject to the Structural Survey, such as hair dressing and beauty products, etc.
Data processing
The Bureau entrusts the checking of the survey’s data to the National Statistics Center, and tabulates the checked survey data.
Publication
The survey results are compiled by the Bureau and are released in principle by June in the year following the survey year.
Use of the survey results (major examples)
(a) To obtain basic data for administrative policies and measures such as social welfare policies and economic policies (b) To obtain basic data for other price statistics (c) To obtain basic data for academic research and price-related analyses
Website http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/kouri/kouzou/index.htm
78 (5) National Survey of Prices [1967-2007]
Purpose
The National Survey of Prices was a large-scale quinquennial survey that aims to study the actual price differentials among outlets, brands, regions, etc. by surveying not only the prices of goods and services that were important objects of consumer spending but also the factors that influence price decisions, including the types and locations of outlets.
[Comparison with the RPS]
Although the monthly Retail Price Survey (RPS) covered a similar aspect, its main object is to reveal price trends and obtain the basic data for the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Since the sample size was as small as about 30,000, the monthly survey was not appropriate for conducting detailed cross-section analyses. In contrast, the National Survey of Prices was designed to sample about 137,000 outlets, thus enabling detailed structural analyses based on various price differentials, such as attributes of outlets, brands, regions, and so on.
Short history
The survey was initiated in 1967 and was carried out in 1971, 1974, and 1977. After 1977, the survey interval was extended to five years, and the 2007 survey was the 10th. The survey method has essentially remained unchanged since its inception.
Survey date
The survey was carried out as of Wednesday, November 21, 2007. The following explanations are based on the 2007 survey.
Coverage
The survey covered retail outlets, establishments serving food and, drinks, service establishments, etc. in the municipalities surveyed.
Sampling
(a) Municipalities The survey covered all cities with a population of 100,000 or more, including the wards (ku) in Tokyo, based on the results of the Population Census as of October 1, 2005. The survey also covered 410 selected municipalities with a population of less than 100,000.
(b) Retail outlets, establishments serving food and drinks, service establishments, etc.
[Retail outlets]
The survey selected approximately 137,000 outlets from the municipalities surveyed and grouped them into two types: large-scale outlets and small-scale outlets, depending on the total sales floor space, industrial classification, and type of outlet.
A. Large-scale outlets (with sales floor space of 1,000 m2 or more)
79 Every outlet was surveyed, in principle (approximately 12,000 outlets). B. Small-scale outlets (with sales floor space of less than 1,000 m2) A total of 2,779 survey areas were selected from the municipalities surveyed, and about 125,000 outlets (45 outlets per area) were randomly selected from these areas.
The outlets were selected from the preliminary list of outlets used in the 2007 Census of Commerce (conducted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry).
[Establishments serving food and drinks, service establishments]
The Bureau first selected establishments from the 2006 Establishment and Enterprise Census (conducted by the MIC) by industrial classification; thereafter, each municipality selected the establishments to be surveyed from the above establishments.
Since it was difficult to select the survey items based on the establishments’ industrial classification, the concerned municipality selected the establishments to be surveyed using the materials and data of related organizations. Approximately 65,000 establishments were surveyed nationwide.
[Companies providing wide-area services, online/mail-order sales companies, hotels, and golf courses]
About 2,200 companies providing wide-area services and online/mail-order sales companies, about 400 hotels and ryokan (Japanese-style inns), and about 400 golf courses were selected nationwide.
Survey organization
The survey was conducted through the following channels: (a) Retail outlets
Prefectures Municipalities Statistics (to, do, fu, (shi, ku, machi, Supervisors Enumerators Retail outlets Bureau and ken) and mura)
(in case of some chain stores)
Statistics Headquarters of companies Bureau
(b) Establishments serving food and drinks, service establishments Prefectures Municipalities Statistics (to, do, fu, (shi, ku, machi, Establishments Bureau and ken) and mura)
(c) Companies providing wide-area services, online/mail-order sales companies, hotels, and golf courses
Statistics Companies and establishments Bureau
80
Survey method
(a) Retail outlets The enumerators delivered the questionnaires to the designated outlets. Every outlet representative was requested to fill in two types of questionnaires: one requesting basic information on the outlet and the other requesting the prices of commodities sold there. Some outlets were also requested to report prices every day in the week of the survey and the lowest prices in the month for certain items to obtain the discount prices. The prices to report were designated for each outlet according to their industrial classification and the type of outlet. After the representatives of the outlets completed the questionnaires, the enumerators collected them. The Bureau surveyed the company headquarters of some chain stores providing wide-area services. The Bureau mailed questionnaires to the company headquarters (including electronic questionnaires stored on electronic media) and collected the completed forms. In addition, the companies were able to use the Online Survey System of the Inter-Ministry Information System for Official Statistics (IMISOS).
(b) Establishments serving food and drinks, service establishments Municipal officials interviewed the representatives of the designated establishments to complete the questionnaires for service charges and fees.
(c) Companies providing wide-area services, online/mail-order sales companies, hotels, and golf courses The survey was conducted using two methods. With regard to companies providing wide-area services, officials of the Bureau interviewed the representatives of the designated establishments and completed the relevant questionnaires for service charges and fees. With regard to online/mail-order sales companies, officials of the Bureau mailed the relevant questionnaires for online/mail-order sales and those for online/mail-order sales prices to the designated companies, and their representatives completed these questionnaires and mailed them back to the Bureau. In addition to submitting the completed questionnaires by mail, the representatives of the companies could make use of the Online Survey System of the IMISOS.
Survey items
The survey covered the following items:
(a) Items concerning the basic attributes of outlets - Name of outlet - Type of outlet - Number of persons engaged - Items related to management - Discount and privilege services - Presence of online/mail-order sales - Main supplier of goods (b) Items concerning prices of goods and services The survey selected 180 items from among the goods and services that were regarded as important to consumers and collected the ordinary prices of these items on
81 Wednesday, November 21, 2007—the survey date. The survey also collected the lowest price during the preceding month and daily prices from Thursday, November 15 to Wednesday, November 21 for 20 of the 180 items.
The survey items were divided into three groups as follows:
a) Items surveyed at retail outlets: 141 items b) Items surveyed at establishments serving food and drinks, service establishments, and companies providing wide-area services: 39 items c) Items surveyed at online/mail-order companies: 24 items
Data processing
The Bureau entrusts the survey’s data processing to the National Statistics Center. The results were tabulated as follows:
(a) Average prices and distribution of prices by basic attribute of outlets - Retail outlet prices and online/mail-order prices - Regular prices and sale prices - Service charges and fees (b) Number of outlets and establishments by basic attribute of outlets (c) Regional difference index of prices
Publication
The reports of the 2007 survey were published in the following four volumes:
- Volume 1 Outline of the Survey Methods …………………………………March 2009 - Volume 2 Results for Regional Difference Index of Prices ………………March 2009 - Volume 3 Results for Outlet Prices ………………………………………… July 2009 Part 1 Retail Outlet Prices Part 2 Sale Prices Part 3 Online/Mail-order Prices - Volume 4 Structure of Prices in Japan (Explanatory Report) ……………………2009
In addition, Internet users could access all the detailed statistical tables on the Internet, which were available in the form of electronic records, for analysis and processing.
Use of the survey results (major example)
(d) To obtain basic data for administrative policies and measures such as social welfare policies and economic policies (e) To obtain basic data for other price statistics (f) To obtain basic data for academic research and price-related analyses
Website http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/zenbutu/index.htm
82
(6) Consumer Price Index
Purpose
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) aims to measure the average price change in the purchases of goods and services by households nationwide and reflects changes in the cost of goods and services purchased in a fixed market basket. The CPI is one of the key indicators of current economic conditions and is reported monthly at the cabinet meeting.
Short history
The compilation of the CPI began in 1946. In those days, both price data and weight data were obtained from the Consumer Price Survey (CPS), the predecessor of the Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES). The Fisher formula was used to compute the CPI.
In 1950, the CPS was replaced by the FIES and the Retail Price Survey (RPS), which together form the fundamental data source for the present CPI. Computation of the CPI based on the two surveys using a Laspeyres formula commenced in 1952, with 1951 considered as the base period.
Since 1955, the base period of the CPI has been renewed every five years. Following the extension of FIES and RPS coverage from urban areas to the entire country, the CPI coverage was also extended from 1965 onward.
Reference period
The CPI is calculated as a set of indices with the annual average price of the calendar year 2010 regarded as 100, using the expenditure weights of the calendar year 2010.
Scope of the index
As the CPI is designed to measure price changes that affect the consumption lives of households, its scope covers household living expenditures (although religious contributions, donations, monetary gifts, other obligatory fees, and remittances are excluded from the scope of the CPI).
Consequently, the CPI covers neither non-living expenditures (such as income taxes and social insurance premiums) nor disbursements other than expenditures (such as savings, security purchases, and property purchases of land and houses).
As with the housing cost of owner-occupied dwellings, the survey applied the rental equivalence approach (imputed rent).
Method of computation
The following explanation refers to the CPI with the 2010 base. The method of computing the CPI has remained more or less unchanged over the years.
Computing the CPI requires two sets of data: prices and weights. Prices are obtained
83 mainly from the RPS, and weights mainly from the FIES. The weights are based on consumer expenditures in 2010. Those expenditures that are not regarded as consumption-related are excluded (e.g., property purchases, direct tax and social security payments, transfers of money to other households). Weights are assigned to the 588 (as of January 2014) items representing goods and services consumed by consumer households, as well as to 167 municipalities representing the entire country.
Generally, prices are averaged per municipality per month. The index is calculated as the base-year-weighted arithmetic mean of prices relative to base prices (i.e., the Laspeyres formula) as shown below.
Pti W0i i P0i I t 100 W 0i i
Where P0i = price of item "i" in the price reference period (0) Pti = price of item "i" in the observation period (t)
W0i = weight for item "i" in the weight reference period (0)
Indices compiled
The following indices are compiled at the National Statistics Center to meet various requirements:
(a) Indices by basic classification All-item and sub-indexes for basic expenditure groups and geographical areas
(b) Indices by goods and services classification Sub-indexes for goods and services groups
(c) Indices aggregated based on baskets of specific household groups and indices by characteristics of items - Index for all households, including one-person households - Index by annual income of workers’ households - Index for retired elderly households - Index by age of the head of the household (yearly) - Index by occupation of the head of the household (yearly) - Index by tenure of dwelling (yearly) - Index by elasticity of living expenditure - Index by purchasing frequency
(d) Supplementary indices - Chained Laspeyres index - Mid-year basket index (yearly)
* Note: The official CPI refers to households comprising two or more persons.
Publication
The monthly consumer price index is released, in principle, at 8:30 a.m. on the Friday of the week that contains the 26th day of each month. On this day, the index figures of the
84 preceding month are released for the entire country, as are the preliminary figures of the current month for the 23 wards that make up the centre of Tokyo. The average index figures for the calendar year and the fiscal year are released with monthly figures for December and March, respectively. The following reports are published:
- Preliminary Report (available on the aforementioned day) - Annual Report on the CPI
Use of the survey results (major examples)
(a) To establish a standard for the automatic revision of pension levels (b) To obtain basic data for administrative policies and measures such as monetary policies, social welfare plans, and public utility charges
Website http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/cpi/index.htm
85 5. Social statistics
Name Cycle Conducted since Size
Survey on Time Use and Leisure Quinquennial 1976 83,000 households Activities (F) 200,000 persons (2011)
(F): Fundamental Statistical Surveys
(1) Survey on Time Use and Leisure Activities
Purpose
The Survey on Time Use and Leisure Activities aims to obtain comprehensive data on daily patterns of time allocation and leisure activities.
This survey provides statistics that cannot be obtained from any of the other surveys, all of which focus almost exclusively on the economic aspects of living. The statistics obtained from this survey make it possible to observe the lifestyles of various groups and their preferences for certain activities over others, which may improve the interpretation and understanding of various social and economic phenomena. This survey also provides important background information on the economic conditions in Japan.
Short history
The survey was first carried out in 1976 and has been conducted every five years. The 8th survey was conducted in 2011.
Since the 2001 survey, in addition to Questionnaire A (pre-coding system), which takes the same form as the questionnaires in the former surveys, Questionnaire B (after-coding system) has been introduced to obtain more detailed results concerning people’s time allocation.
Reference date and period
The reference date for the 2011 survey was October 20 for the basic characteristics of persons and households. For data on time use, however, reference dates have been selected from several days including the reference date, because the pattern of time use varies according to the day of the week. For this reason, the sample of the 2011 survey was divided into several sub-samples, and the respondents for each sub-sample were asked to report their time use on two consecutive days during the period from October 15 to 23.
Coverage
This survey covered the household members of approximately 83,000 households living in the sampled dwellings in the designated enumeration districts (EDs); these households were selected by the prefectural governors in the manner prescribed by the Bureau. The following persons, however, were excluded from the survey:
86 (a) Foreign diplomatic and consular corps (including their family and party members) (b) Foreign military personnel or civilian employees (including their family) (c) The Self-Defense Force personnel living in barracks or vessels (d) Prisoners or persons in reformatories (e) Persons living in social welfare facilities (f) In-patients of hospital or clinics (g) Persons living on a boat
Sampling
The sample was selected through a two-stage stratified sampling method, with the primary sampling unit being the EDs of the Population Census and the secondary sampling unit being the household.
First, the entire country was divided into regions of 47 prefectures, from which a total of 6,900 sample EDs were selected. Approximately 83,000 households were selected from lists of households in the selected EDs; the enumerators prepare these lists before the survey. All persons aged 10 years and above in the sample households were requested to respond to the survey, which means a total of approximately 200,000 persons.
Survey organization
The 2011 survey was conducted through the following channels:
Prefectures Statistics Bureau (to, do, fu, Supervisors Enumerators Households and ken)
Survey method
The enumerators delivered the questionnaires to each survey household, collected the completed questionnaires, and interviewed the household members as necessary.
The questionnaires were completed either by household members aged 10 years and above or by the head of the household, who also answered questions asked by the enumerators.
In addition, in the EDs designated by the Bureau, households could fill in the questionnaires via an electronic information processing system with telecommunication lines connecting their own computers with those of the Bureau.
Survey items
The 2011 survey covered the following topics:
- Time use over a single day - Participation in leisure activities during the past year - Frequency of participation in leisure activities during the past year
Two questionnaires were used to record the time use during a single day: Questionnaire
87 A adopts a pre-coding method, while Questionnaire B was designed to elucidate more details regarding time use (via the diary or after-coding method). Questionnaire A was used for approximately 6,500 of the 6,900 EDs, and Questionnaire B was used for the remaining 400 EDs.
The survey also identified several characteristics of individuals and households.
To obtain data on the time use for each day, the enumerators delivered schedules for recording time use every quarter of an hour to the respondents. Subsequently, the enumerators collected the completed schedules, along with other questionnaires concerning the respondents’ participation in leisure activities.
Data processing
The Bureau entrusted the survey’s data processing to the National Statistics Center. The results were tabulated as statistics for the following characteristics:
Characteristics of individuals: - Sex/Age/Marital status - Life stage - Usual economic activity/ Employment status/ Occupation/ Annual income of the individual
Characteristics of households: - Family type of household - Usual economic activities of a married couple - Annual income of the household - Age of the household’s youngest child
Publication
A report containing the 2011 survey results were published in 2013; the report covered the following characteristics:
(a) Report of Questionnaire A - Time use results for Japan - Leisure activities results for Japan - Time use results for prefectures - Leisure activities results for prefectures - Activities by time of day—results for Japan and by prefecture - Average time of main activities—results for Japan and by prefecture - Summary results and analyses
(b) Report of Questionnaire B - Time use by detailed activity coding—results for Japan
Uses of the survey results (major examples)
(a) To obtain basic data to assist in the formulation of policies aimed at maintaining a vital aging society, improving the childcare environment, facilitating gender equality, promoting work–life balance, etc., while taking into account the current social
88 background (e.g., an aging society with fewer children and diversification of lifestyles)
(b) To obtain basic data for academic research in the fields of social science, domestic science, and cultural economics
Website http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/shakai/index.htm
89 Chapter IV Compilation and Dissemination of Statistical Information
1. Collection and compilation of statistical information
(1) Grid Square Statistics Grid Square Statistics are small-area statistics compiled on the basis of square-area units of nearly uniform size, demarcated along longitude and latitude. Grid Square Statistics is widely used for city planning, regional developments, disaster prevention, environmental programs, and antipollution measures, academic research, area marketing, etc.
The Statistics Bureau compiles Grid Square Statistics for the Population Census (since 1970) and the Economic Census (since 2009) or the Establishment and Enterprise Census [1947-2006] (since 1975).
Defining Grid Squares
To compile Grid Square Statistics, the whole area of Japan is divided into square areas based on longitudinal lines drawn at every 1/80 degree and latitudinal lines drawn at every 1/120 degree. The areas thus defined are nearly equal to 1 square kilometer in the range of latitudes where Japan is located. This grid square is called the Basic Grid Square.
In addition to the Basic Grid Square, a smaller grid square called a Half Grid Square is installed. The Half Grid Square is demarcated by dividing a Basic Grid Square into four equal parts towards longitude and latitude.
The Grid Square Statistics have the following advantages:
(a) You can easily get figures on the area you need by adding up the related Grid Square Statistics.
(b) It is easy to calculate, compare and analyze between areas of interest with Grid Square Statistics.
(c) As the partition of square areas are fixed, it is easy to make a comparison of regional characteristics in time-series without being affected by the change of administrative boundaries of local municipalities, or the change of demarcation of enumeration districts (ED) by geographical changes, etc.
Method of Compiling Grid Square Statistics
Grid Square Statistics of 2010 Population Census were compiled by allocating the tabulated data of Basic Unit Blocks to the corresponding Grid Squares.
Grid Square Statistics of 2009 Economic Census for Business Frame were compiled by linking establishments with the corresponding Grid Squares by geocoding the addresses of the establishments.
90
Publication
The results compiled are published in CD-R and statistical maps, and are also provided via e-Stat. Grid Square Statistics of 2010 Population Census Total Population (Half Grid Square) of Tokyo-to Ku-area
(2) Census Mapping System (CMS)
Along with the introduction of the concept of the Basic Unit Blocks (BUBs) at the time of the 1990 Population Census, the Bureau constructed the Census Mapping System (CMS), using Geographic Information System (GIS) technology, to enable more geographically sophisticated use of statistical data on BUBs.
The major functions of the CMS include storing and maintaining digitized information on the boundaries of BUBs/EDs, and compiling small-area statistics such as those by address block (Machi, Cho, or Aza). Another important function of the CMS is to show different small-area statistical data in the form of maps.
The CMS is expected to be applied in many fields. The Bureau uses the CMS for the
91 following activities:
(a) Providing support for taking censuses and sample surveys - Providing support for establishing EDs for censuses - Providing support for sampling in various statistical surveys (including avoiding a situation wherein a specific ED is selected in two or more surveys within a certain period)
(b) Compiling small-area statistics - Demarcating densely inhabited districts (DIDs) - Compiling Grid Square Statistics
(c) Providing analyses by a municipality’s administrative subdivisions - Providing analyses by compiling data for areas to set up for specific purposes - Providing analyses by combining small-area statistics with data from other sources
Picture of CMS
Population Density by Address Block (From the 2010 Population Census of Japan)
3,000 or less
3,001 to 8,000
8,001 to 15,000
15,001 to 25,000
25,001 or more
(Persons per Sq Kilometer)
92 2. Dissemination of statistical information
(1) Website
The Bureau provides a wide range of statistical information on a timely basis and in an easy-to-understand form through various publications, a website, an official Facebook page, and an e-mail newsletter. Since April 1996, the Bureau has provided a variety of statistical information on its website (http://www.stat.go.jp/english/index.htm).
This website provides a guide to the Bureau and the Statistical Research and Training Institute. This website also provides information concerning the official statistics system, statistical data collected by the Bureau, and links to statistical sources of other ministries, etc. The top page of the website is shown below (Figure 1).
Figure 1: The top page of the Bureau’s Website
93
(2) Inter-Ministry Information System for Official Statistics (IMISOS)
The Japanese government has promoted “e-government” as a part of administrative reform. For this purpose, the Japanese government decided to implement a plan called “The Optimization of Operations and Systems.” Under this plan, the system followed by each individual ministry is to be centralized and the operation itself is to be extensively restructured, in order to curtail public expenditure, reduce work load, and improve public services.
Based on this plan, “The Optimization of Operations and Systems for Statistical Work” was adopted in March 2006, to curtail public statistical expenditure, reduce work load, improve public statistical services, and centralize the statistical information system, which each ministry had previously operated and maintained independently.
Under this action plan, the statistical information systems of different ministries were integrated into a single system for all ministries, which is known as the “Inter-Ministry Information System for Official Statistics (IMISOS).”
IMISOS was designed and developed, through an initiative of the Bureau and an operation-test was held from May 2006 to March 2008. Subsequently IMISOS was launched in April 2008.
This system provides 1) A ‘One-Stop-Service’ for various statistical uses; 2) United management and sampling of the population information; 3) Online statistical surveys by various ministries.
As shown below (Figure 2), IMISOS consists of 13 subsystems. People and enterprises access the system through the Internet; whereas, ministries and local governments access the system through the Government Common Network and a Local Government Wide Area Network (LGWAN).
However, the entire management and operation of IMISOS has been entrusted to the National Statistics Center as a government management agency for streamlining and simplifying governmental work. This is an added advantage of the system.
Figure 2: Image of IMISOS
94 The points of e-Stat and e-Survey that are the main subsystems are shown below.
(2)-1 “Portal Site of Official Statistics of Japan (e-Stat)”
The “Portal Site of Official Statistics of Japan (e-Stat)” aims to provide a ‘One-Stop-Service’ for statistical information. The e-Stat site collects and integrates statistical information from the websites of all ministries, and provides it via the e-Stat system. Also, the Application Programming Interface (API) function and the statistics Geographic Information System (GIS) (jSTAT MAP) specialized in analysis of small regions were added to the e-Stat system.
Figure 3: The top page of e-Stat (http://www.e-stat.go.jp/SG1/estat/eStatTopPortalE.do)
The main functions of e-Stat are as follows:
Search for Statistics
Users are able to search, browse and download statistical tables which ministries have made available. Users may not only search by keyword, theme, and ministries, but are also able to draw out statistical tables and graphs from databases, which are compiled from statistical survey results.
Easy access to main statistics (“Looking through figures and graphs”)
Users are able to show statistical data in the form of visual images, for example figures and graphs displayed on a map, etc.
The main functions are shown below:
(a) Japan in Figures and Graphs Users are able to grasp the latest statistical indices by number and graph, because e-Stat automatically updates the statistical indices with every release.
95
Figure 4: Image of “statistical indices by looking through figures and graphs”
(b) Regional Statistics Users can browse principal data such as population and the total land area of each prefecture and municipality in detail. Users can also display these respectively in terms of prefecture and municipality. Besides that, users can make up a graph from the principal data by extracting data for different items and districts.
Figure 5: Image of Regional Statistics Table
96 (c) Thematic Map (Statistics GIS; Japanese only) Users are able to display a variety of statistical information on the map, and download such data and statistical values.
Figure 6: The image of Statistics GIS (Japanese)
Figure 6: The image of Statistics GIS (Japanese)
97 (d) Analysis of a small region on the map (jSTAT MAP; Japanese only) The function of analyzing the imported users’ data and the function of the statistics GIS (jSTAT MAP) specialized in analysis of small regions were added to the e-Stat. As one of the functions of jSTAT MAP, it can show statistical information on the optionally designated area.
Figure 7：Image of Sub-regional analysis by map (jSTAT MAP; Japanese)
(e) Learn metadata (Japanese only) Users can search Statistical Classifications such as the “Japan Standard Industrial Classification,” and the “Japan Standard Occupational Classification” etc.
Also, users can search statistical terms, the name or code of municipalities, the topics surveyed and their definitions.
Figure 8: Result of searching topics surveyed (Japanese)
Users are able to look over the statistical system of Japan, and access the latest results of
98 the statistical surveys of Japanese ministries. Also, users can search through the key statistical contents of the ministries’ websites.
(f) Application Programming Interface (API) function By utilizing a program of the API functions, users can download the statistical tables from the statistical information which are registered as the database format in the e-Stat, though users had to do it manually before. In the 57 statistical data, users can use the API functions which are offered on "e-Stat".
Figure 9: Overview of the API functions
(2)-2 Online Survey System (OSS or “e-survey”)
For the statistical surveys conducted by ministries, the “e-survey” system makes it possible for people and enterprises to conveniently respond from their homes or offices via the Internet. The OSS operates under a substantial security system.
Thanks to the “e-survey,” survey respondents have the advantage of being able to respond to surveys regardless of their lifestyle or working schedule. Not only that, but ministries can reduce their operations via the “e-survey” function, for example by automatically checking errors such as entries that have been omitted from the questionnaire.
About 80 statistical surveys have already been conducted via this online survey system. For example, the “Monthly Survey on Service Industries,” “Housing and Land Survey,” “Family Income and Expenditure Survey” (MIC), “School Basic Survey” (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology), “Monthly Labour Survey” (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare), “Census of Fisheries” (Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries), “Census of Manufactures” (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry), and “Corporations Survey on Land and Buildings” (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism) have been conducted.
《Answering process for survey respondents by “e-survey”》 When survey respondents respond to the survey via the e-survey, the process will proceed as follows:
(a) Login by entering the ID and identification code (b) Download the electronic questionnaire from OSS (c) Complete the questionnaire responses (d) Save the electronic data of the questionnaire (can be saved with password) (e) Send the electronic data of the questionnaire to OSS (f) Receive confirmation of the acceptance of the electronic data of the questionnaire from OSS
99
All the respondents’ answers via the e-survey are encrypted by SSL.
Figure 10: Showing the “e-survey” response process
Figure 11: Top page of e-survey (left, Japanese) and image of the electronic questionnaire (right, Japanese)
100
【Other 11 subsystems of IMISOS】
Other than e-Stat and e-Survey there are 11 other subsystems in IMISOS. Their outlines are shown below:
Name of Subsystems Outline Statistical Area Code This system manages information concerning changes regarding Management System municipalities such as mergers, name or boundary changes, and a Statistical Area Code. It is possible to grasp these transitions via a timeline. Survey Items Database Recording items and questionnaires used in Statistical Surveys. This system is able to search meta data such as definitions of items. Statistical Tables STMS saves ministries’ spreadsheets, CSV or PDF files of Management System statistical tables, and delivers them to users through the e-Stat (STMS) system. Statistical Information Gathering the results of Fundamental Statistics in this DB. It Database enables users to search statistical tables, sample data, express statistical tables, download data, and create statistical graphs via the Internet. Regional Statistics Various statistical data concerning prefectures and municipalities Analysis System (RSAS) are stored in RSAS, which makes it possible to browse the same in the form of tables and charts through e-Stat. The contents are presented in Japanese, and there are plans to also supply them in English. Statistical Geographical This system is able to express various statistical data via visual Information System images, for example: figures and graphs displayed on a map, which enables the geographic analysis of statistical information. Statistical Classification This DB-system allows searching of the “Japan Standard Industrial Management System Classification,” “Japan Standard Occupational Classification,” “Japan Standard Commodity Classification,” “Classification of Diseases, Injuries and Causes of Death.” Back Office Portal Site This site is a plaza for officials who are in charge of the statistical operations of ministries and municipalities. It contains a notice board on which it is possible to exchange information and provide statistical content for these officials. Enumerator Coordinating with e-survey (OSS), this system manages Management System information about enumerators. Authentication System This system performs authentication for IMISOS, and manages the information needed for authentication in an integrated fashion. This allows for a single-sign-on system for all ministries. Statistical Frame of This is a database system (business frame) which has population Establishments and information concerning Establishments and Enterprises for all Enterprises ministries. (SFE) Not only is the information in the database (DB) provided to ministries, but SFE assists in collecting samples and avoiding repetition of survey respondents. Moreover, this system manages the historical answer-record of surveyed objects.
101 (3) Compiling statistical compendia
The Bureau compiles statistical compendia covering economic and social statistics, and other statistics, to meet a wide variety of statistical needs. The major statistical compendia are listed below. The Bureau’s website (http://www.stat.go.jp/english/index.htm) provides the following contents:
(a) Japan Statistical Yearbook (print and website; http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/nenkan/index.htm; in Japanese and English) This is the most comprehensive statistical yearbook covering many statistical fields, including land, population, economy, society, culture, and finance. The Yearbook was first published in 1882 as the Statistical Yearbook of the Japanese Empire, and continued to be published under the same title until 1941. After a break due to World War II, publication of the Yearbook resumed in 1949 under the present title, and it has continued to be published every year since. Recent volumes have contained around 950 pages with around 740 tables in 27 fields.
(b) Nihon no Tokei (Statistics of Japan) (print and website; in Japanese only) This book is an abridged version of the Statistical Yearbook, first published in 1956. It has been published every year since 1964. Recent volumes have contained around 400 pages with around 500 tables in 26 fields.
(c) Sekai no Tokei (International Statistical Compendium) (print and website; in Japanese only) This is one of the most comprehensive international statistical compendia published in Japan. It has been published every year since 1951, and incorporates the most recent statistics of 195 countries available from the UN and other international organizations. Recent volumes have contained around 400 pages with around 150 tables, covering topics such as population, economy, society, and culture.
(d) Statistical Handbook of Japan (print and website; http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/handbook/index.htm; in English only) This handbook, first published in 1958 (and every year since 1969), aims to provide information concerning the current socioeconomic situation of Japan. It contains around 200 pages of statistical tables, figures, explanations, maps and photographs.
(e) Social Indicators by Prefecture (2014 edition) (print and website; http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/shihyou/index.htm; in Japanese and English) This is a report based on prefecture-specific primary data on statistical indicators which are set using basic data developed for the System of Social and Demographic Statistics of Japan. The system is based on the System of Social and Demographic Statistics (SSDS), which is recognized by the United Nations. It includes 608 social indicators and 571 items of basic data. They are collected for 13 fields from “A. Population and Households” to “M. Daily Time”, and organized for each prefecture (recognizable by the suffixes to, do, fu, and ken) and municipality (recognizable by the suffixes shi, ku, machi, and mura), thus enabling regional comparisons and analyses. In addition to this report, two subsidiary reports titled “Statistical Observations of Prefectures” and “Statistical Observations of Shi, Ku, Machi, Mura” are also published (Japanese only).
102 3. Secondary Use of Statistical Information
(1) New framework for secondary use of official statistics
The new framework for the secondary use of official statistics in Japan was founded as the new Statistics Act of Japan came into effect in April 2009. Therefore, the basic philosophy was renewed from "Statistics for Administration" to "Statistics as the Social Information Infrastructure." The Bureau is offering two services "Production and Provision of the Anonymized Data" and "Tailor-made Tabulations." The aim is to contribute to the development of scholarly investigation and the development of higher education based on this Statistics Act. The Bureau has entrusted all the clerical work concerning these services to the National Statistics Center (the Center). (See Chapter VIII for more detail about the Center.) Anonymized Data means the questionnaire information which has been so arranged as not to identify the investigated individuals or enterprises, that it may be provided to general users for the development of academic research, etc. Tailor-made Tabulations means the provision of statistical tables which are made using the questionnaire information as ordered by the requestors. The aim is to contribute to the development of academic research, etc.
(1)-1 Provision of the Anonymized Data
This is a system wherein an applicant who satisfies certain necessary conditions will be permitted to use the anonymized data for a certain period. After identifying the applicant and examining the requirements, such as the purpose of use, the method of data management and the publication method of research results, and so on, the Center provides the anonymized data to the appropriate applicant. It is possible to do positive analyses not only to make statistical tables that administrative bodies have not yet made, but also to do the multivariate analysis. The following anonymized data are available as of July 2014.
Name of the Survey Conducted Year Population Census 2000, 2005 Housing and Land Survey 1993, 1998, 2003 National Survey of Family Income and Expenditure 1989, 1994, 1999, 2004 Labour Force Survey 1989/01 - 2010/12 Employment Status Survey 1992, 1997, 2002 Survey on Time Use and Leisure Activities 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006
(1)-2 Tailor-made Tabulations
This is a system wherein the applicant who satisfies certain necessary conditions may be provided the tabulation results. The Center makes tabulation according to the requested forms using the questionnaire information. It is possible to do analyses based on the new tables that administrative bodies have not yet made, using this system. The following data of the census and surveys are available for the tailor-made tabulations as of July 2014.
103 Name of the Survey Conducted Year/Month Organization Population Census 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, MIC 2000, 2005, 2010 Housing and Land Survey 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008, 2013 Family Income and Expenditure Survey 1981/01 - 2013/12 Survey of Household Economy 2002/01 - 2013/12 National Survey of Family Income and Expenditure 2004, 2009 Labour Force Survey 1980/01 - 2013/12 Employment Status Survey 1982, 1987, 1992, 1997, 2002, 2007, 2012 Survey on Time Use and Leisure Activities 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011 MIC : Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications
.
104 4. Statistical Library and Statistical Museum
Statistical Library
The Statistical Library has acquired a considerable volume of statistical materials since the Meiji-era (the late 19th century) as a library of statistical specialties.
As for the book collection, the library now has around 270,000 domestic and foreign statistical books, including those of the Bureau’s.
Bibliographic information can be retrieved via the bibliotheca search engine on the website of the library and the Statistics Bureau.
Moreover, a consultation service concerning statistical information, such as the whereabouts of statistical data, is provided, and a “Statistical data FAQ” in which past consultation cases are given, is posted on the Statistics Bureau website.
The Statistical Library is specified as a branch library of the National Diet Library.
Statistical Library
Statistical Library Statistical Museum
The Statistical Museum was established on October 18 (Statistics Day in Japan) in 1991 in the annex to the Statistics Bureau building to mark the 120th anniversary of the Bureau. A document concerning statistics at the beginning of the Meiji-era, the start of material concerning the first Population Census, and old equipment, etc. have been exhibited in the pavilion. It introduces, in plain terms, the history of statistics and statistical systems used in statistical research via exhibits and panels, etc.
Statistical Museum
105 Chapter V International Cooperation in Statistics
1. International cooperation
(1) Bilateral cooperation
The Bureau has been promoting exchanges of statistical missions with China every year since 1980. This annual exchange program has greatly boosted technical cooperation in statistical activities between the two countries, for example, on the enumeration system and methodology for China’s 1982 Population Census. A similar annual exchange program with Korea commenced in 1982. In both cases, each country sends a group of statisticians to visit the statistical office of the other.
With respect to Korea, a total of 10 division director level officers of the Korean National Statistical Office had been dispatched and stationed at the Bureau with terms of two years since 1989 until 2011. Mutual understanding and friendship between the two national statistical offices progressed significantly as a result of this program.
th th The 26th Japan Statistical Mission to Korean The 29th Chinese Statistical Mission to Japan
In January 2014, the Bureau strengthened cooperative relationship with the General Statistics Office (GSO) of Vietnam by signing the Memorandum of Cooperation. The Bureau has been cooperating with the GSO in the area of statistics and other related fields of mutual interest.
The signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation between the Bureau and the GSO
106 (2) Receiving visitors from abroad
Japan welcomes overseas statistical missions visiting Japan for specific purposes, and provides them with information and data as requested.
Moreover, the Bureau receives more than 100 international visitors every year, and exchanges information and views on the statistical system, as well as the methods and the technologies involved in censuses and statistical surveys including the Population Census, the Retail Price Survey, the Labour Force Survey and the CPI. Trainees at the Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific (SIAP) occasionally visit the Bureau to observe various statistical activities.
(3) Technical cooperation
The Bureau sends statistical experts to other countries for extended periods on a request basis for technical cooperation, for example, for a country’s Population Census. In most cases, the experts are dispatched as part of international cooperation programs of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Experts have been sent to Mexico, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Argentina, Myanmar, and Cambodia, in approximate chronological order. The Bureau also accepts trainees from other countries participating in JICA programs.
In addition, the Bureau dispatches lecturers to the SIAP, and they give lectures on the methodologies of surveys and analyzing survey results and so on.
Lecturer at the Statistical Training of the SIAP Statistical Experts to the National Institute of Statistics of Cambodia 2. Activities related to international statistical conferences
(1) Participation in international statistical conferences
The Bureau dispatches experts to international conferences, seminars, etc. organized by the United Nations (UN), the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and other groups on the Population Censuses, the CPI, the Labour Force Surveys, and the Business Registers, etc., thus contributing to the development of international statistics.
The Director-General of the Bureau is an Ex-officio Member of the International Statistical Institute (ISI), and a number of current and former staff members of the Bureau have been registered as selected individual members, acknowledging that the Bureau pays careful attention
107 to ISI matters. The Bureau has participated in the assembly session of the ISI, which is held every two years.
(2) Hosting international statistical conferences
The Bureau occasionally hosts international statistical conferences. Since 1980, the Bureau has hosted the East Asian Statistical Conference, mostly in Japan, at intervals of two or three years. The conferences facilitate exchanges of information and views, and improving official statistics and statistical administration in the region. The member countries are Brunei, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Japan. The latest conference (the 13th) was held in Tokyo in November 2012, and was attended by 31 statisticians from 18 countries and international organizations, etc.
The 13th East Asian Statistical Conference
Also the Bureau promotes exchanging of information and views from an international perspective by hosting international symposiums and expert meetings. In November 2014, the Bureau hosted the 27th Population Census Conference in Tokyo, Japan, sponsored by the Association of National Census and Statistics Directors of America, Asia and the Pacific (ANCSDAAP), in collaboration with Statistics Korea (KOSTAT). The theme of the conference was "Evaluation on 2010 Round Census and Planning for Next Round Census", and around 60 participants from 22 countries and international organizations, etc. attended the conference.
th The 27 Population Census Conference
108 3. Provision and exchange of statistical information
The Bureau issues the “News Bulletin” in text-format e-mails to communicate news on the statistical activities of the Bureau such as summaries of statistics lately released, conferences, and technical cooperation projects. The Bureau also publishes various census and survey reports, and distributes these to other countries and international organizations.
Moreover, the Bureau has set up and is making improvements to its English Internet website (http://www.stat.go.jp/english/index.htm) to provide statistical data and information retrieval services. Users can access statistical organizations within and outside Japan through the link.
The Bureau also responds actively to requests for statistical information submitted by the governments of other countries and users. It received about 120 requests, mainly by e-mail, in 2014.
109 Chapter VI Director-General for Policy Planning Chapter VI Director-General for Policy Planning 1. Organization and functions of the Office of the Director-General for 1. PolicyOrganization Planning and functions of the Office of the Director-General for Policy Planning The statistical system of the Japanese government is decentralized, in that, while the BureauThe conducts statistical fundamental system of thecensuses Japanese and govern statisticalment issurveys, decentralized, other relevantin that, ministrieswhile the produceBureau statisticsconducts forfundamental their own policycensuses purposes. and statUnderistical this surveys,decentralized other system relevant it is ministriesgenerally difficultproduce tostatistics maintain for consistency their own policy in statistical purposes. activities Under amongthis decentr differentalized ministries, system it and is generally to avoid duplicationdifficult to maintainin the compilation consistency of instatistics. statistical Theref activitiesore, the among Director-General different ministries, for Policy and Planning to avoid isduplication responsible in forthe coordinaticompilationng ofthe statistics. statistical Theref activitiesore, ofthe different Director-General ministries. for Policy Planning is responsible for coordinating the statistical activities of different ministries. The responsibilities of the Director-General for Policy Planning are stipulated in the Law to EstablishThe responsibilities the MIC and ofthe the Cabinet Director-General Order on th fore Organization Policy Planning of the are MI stipulatedC. Under in Article the Law 14 ofto Establishthe Cabinet the MICOrder, and the the res Cabinetponsibilities Order ofon thethe OrganizationDirector-General of the for MI PolicyC. Under Planning Article are14 definedof the Cabinetas follows: Order, the responsibilities of the Director-General for Policy Planning are defined as follows: (a) To plan fundamental matters for improving and developing statistics and the statistical (a) system,To plan fundamental matters for improving and developing statistics and the statistical (b) Tosystem, examine statistical survey plans for approval, establish a system of statistical standards, (b) andTo examine coordinate statistical statistical survey affairs, plans for approval, establish a system of statistical standards, (c) Toand plan coordinate training statistical programs affairs, and ad minister qualifying examinations for statistical officials, (d)(c) To plancoordinate training international programs and statistical administer affairs, qualifying and examinations for statistical officials, (e)(d) To coordinatedevelop and international improve statistics, statistical with affairs, the exceptionand of those handled by the Bureau and (e) otherTo develop ministries. and improve statistics, with the exception of those handled by the Bureau and other ministries. The Director for Statistical Planning, three Directors for Statistical Clearance, and the DirectorThe forDirector International for Statistical Statistical Planning, Affair threes work Directors under forthe StatisticalDirector-General Clearance, for andPolicy the DirectorPlanning. for International Statistical Affairs work under the Director-General for Policy Planning. Organization of the Office of the Director-General forOrganization Policy Planning of the (StatisticalOffice of the Standards Director-General) for Policy Planning (Statistical Standards)
Director-General for Director for Statistical Planning
DirectoPolicy Planningr-General for DirectorsDirector for for Statistical Statistical Planning Clearance (StatisticalPolicy Planning Standards) DirectorsDirector for for International Statistical Clearance Statistical Affairs (Statistical Standards) Director for International Statistical Affairs Director for International Training Cooperation Director for International Training Cooperation Senior Analyst for International Statistical Affairs Statistics Commission Senior Analyst for International Statistical Affairs Statistics（Cabinet Commission Office） （Cabinet Office）
110 The responsibilities of the Directors are stipulated under Article 120 of the Cabinet Order on the Organization of the MIC.
(1) Director for Statistical Planning
The Director for Statistical Planning is in charge of the government-wide coordination of statistical activities, based on the Statistics Act. Duties include fundamental planning related to improving and developing statistics and the statistical system, planning statistical training programs and qualifying examinations for statistical personnel, and managing and funding statistical personnel at local governments.
(2) Directors for Statistical Clearance
The respective duties of the three Directors for Statistical Clearance are as follows:
(a) Examining, clearing, and coordinating statistical surveys pertaining to mining and manufacturing, construction, transportation, communications, enterprises, labour, finance, family income and expenditure, housing, etc. (b) Examining, clearing, and coordinating statistical surveys pertaining to population, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, social welfare, culture, education, etc. (c) Coordinating the compilation of national Input-Output tables and the establishment of statistical classifications such as the Japan Standard Industrial Classification, etc.
(3) Director for International Statistical Affairs
The Director for International Statistical Affairs is in charge of the government-wide coordination of international statistical affairs involving Japan. For example, the Director serves as a liaison for exchanges of important statistical information with international organizations including the United Nations (UN), the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the International Labour Organization (ILO) as well as the statistical offices of foreign governments and the ISI; prepares views and comments for the government of Japan to be submitted to international conferences; and participates in the International Comparison Program (ICP). The Director also collects and disseminates statistical information obtained from other countries. The Director for International Training Cooperation is subordinate to the Director for International Statistical Affairs, and cooperates in providing statistical training at the Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific (SIAP).
2. Statistics Act
The new Statistics Act came into effect in Japan in April 2009. It was thoroughly revised and promulgated in May 2007, which was the first time since its enforcement sixty years ago. The aim of the Act is to promote systematic and efficient development of official statistics: important information to assist the public in making rational decisions, and to ensure the usefulness thereof through specifying basic matters concerning the production and provision of official statistics, and thereby to contribute to the sound development of the national economy and enhancement of the living standards of the citizens.
111 The following is the summary of the new Statistics Act.
Summary of the Statistics Act
(1) To develop official statistics more systematically The Statistics Act covers not only statistics compiled from censuses and statistical surveys (survey statistics), but also those compiled from administrative data (statistics derived from administrative records) and those processed from other statistics (processed statistics).
(a) Master Plan The Master Plan shall be established and approved by the Cabinet to develop official statistics in a comprehensive and systematic manner.
(b) Fundamental Statistics Important statistics, including not only survey statistics such as the Population Census, but also processed statistics such as the National Accounts and statistics derived from administrative records, compiled by administrative organs, are identified as Fundamental Statistics and developed systematically under the Master Plan.
(c) Statistical surveys carried out by administrative organs Statistical surveys carried out by administrative organs undergo individual clearance through the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications with a view to reducing the reporting burden by eliminating duplication among statistical surveys, etc.
(2) To enable more effective use of official statistics Regulations are established for the provision of statistics compiled on a tailor-made aggregation basis, and for the provision of anonymized data (individual records from anonymous respondents) for academic and research purposes.
(3) To strengthen confidentiality protection
(a) Penalties are strengthened for those who use/provide information collected through censuses and statistical surveys for purposes other than compiling statistics and who violate confidentiality clauses.
(b) A regulation is set out so that the same penalties are applied to private contractors to keep pace with increased outsourcing.
(c) It is prohibited to obtain information by misleading indications or explanations for a disguised fundamental census or statistical survey. Violators may be fined one million yen or imprisoned for two years or less.
(4) To establish the Statistics Commission The Statistics Commission is set up in the Cabinet Office as a technical and neutral organization for research and deliberation, which consists of up to 13 learned and experienced experts. The Commission is charged with researching and deliberating important matters related to developing official statistics systematically in order to discuss the Master Plan and fundamental Statistical surveys, and give advice to the ministers concerned.
112 3. Overview of Master Plan Concerning the Development of Official Statistics
Based on Article 4 of the Statistics Act (Act No. 53 in 2007), The Master Plan Concerning the Development of Official Statistics was established and approved by the Cabinet in March 2009. The government as a whole propels the Master Plan, building the required promotion system such as the “Master Plan Promotion Committee”. In March 2014, based on Article 4 of the Statistics Act, in consideration of the changes in the socio-economic situation surrounding statistics and based on the evaluation of the effects of the measures for the development of official statistics, it was decided to revise the “1st Term Master Plan” into “2nd Term Master Plan” beginning in FY2014. In the 2nd Term Master Plan, in order to promote systematic development continuing to aim at “securing and improving statistical usefulness,” which is also stated as an important target in the 1st Term Master Plan, the government as a whole shall promote various measures that emphasize the following viewpoints:
1 Securing and improving compatibility between statistics In the systematic development of Official Statistics centered on Fundamental Statistics, the aim is to secure and improve compatibility between statistics, such as by building a new framework for industrially-related economic structure statistics with the Economic Structure Statistics as the axis. Moreover, improvement in comparability between statistics, such as by arranging employment and labor-related terms and definitions, is also aimed at. Furthermore, consideration shall be made on how statistics should be newly developed, such as adjusting items which should be surveyed commonly in relevant economic-statistics surveys, or producing statistics that utilize the common establishment codes of the Business Register.
2 Securing and improving international comparability of statistics In developing National Accounts, securing and improving international comparability is aimed at, such as by corresponding to 2008SNA, which is the international standard adopted by the United Nations Statistical Commission from 2008 to 2009. Also along with contributing to the consideration of international standards and guidelines for various statistics, such as the revision of international standards on employment and unemployment at the International Labour Organization (ILO), efforts shall be made to produce and provide statistics based on these trends.
3 Adequate responses toward environmental changes in the economy and society Efforts shall be made to improve statistics that correspond to economic globalization, such as concerning conformity with standards at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the dissemination of economic and financial statistics, as well as on countermeasures against global warming and other environmental issues. In addition to gender statistics, the production and provision of statistics concerning changes in the environment/needs of the economy and society, including the revision of existing statistics aimed at improving tables of statistics by region and by age, shall be promoted. In addition, changes in the economic environment, including the hike in the consumption tax rate, shall be dealt with appropriately. Also, securing necessary statistical resources (including functional maintenance of the
113 system for conducting statistical surveys, which is the foundation for the production and provision of statistics) and increasing people’s understanding shall be promoted. At the same time, everyday preparations for disasters shall be strengthened, based on the lessons learned from the Great East Japan Earthquake.
4 Promotion of accurate and efficient production of statistics Based on the presently severe condition of the administrative and financial situation and survey environment, statistics shall be produced and provided efficiently, while securing statistical accuracy, such as by utilizing administrative-records information and promoting online surveys considering the progress made in information and communication technology (ICT). Also the utilization of the Business Register and the promotion of accuracy and efficiency of the production of statistics shall be developed. At the same time, the reduction of respondents’ burden shall be pursued, such as by reducing the overlapping of sampling (i.e. preventing a respondent from being selected as a sample in too many surveys) and reducing the number of survey items.
5 Promotion of the open statistical data and transparency of the statistical production process In addition to improving the quality reports concerning statistics production methods and estimation methods, a lot of improvement in the transparency of the statistics production process shall be aimed at, such as by considering the introduction of a process assurance. Also, the provision of statistical data depending on the type of use shall be considered, based on the security level or level of anonymity, such as for the tailor-made tabulation from the perspective of easing use conditions. Furthermore, regarding the Portal Site of Official Statistics of Japan (e-Stat), measures to make statistical data more open shall be further promoted, such as by providing an API function and promoting technical research aimed at improving statistics that can be seen on maps (statistics GIS), etc.
4. Examining plans and budgets for censuses and statistical surveys
Further, to coordinate the statistics and statistical activities of the government as a whole based on the Master Plan, the Director-General for Policy Planning examines the specific plans for all statistical surveys, and whenever necessary may advise the governmental organizations concerned to make improvements to these plans. This examination is carried out in two situations: when a detailed plan for conducting a statistical survey is submitted by the governmental organization concerned to obtain approval from the Minister, or when budgetary requests are submitted for conducting statistical surveys over the next fiscal year. How the examination by the Director-General for Policy Planning in both these situations proceeds is described in detail below.
Examination when a survey plan is submitted to the Minister for approval
In accordance with the provisions of the Statistics Act, any governmental organization intending to conduct a census or survey must submit a plan for the survey to the Minister. The plan is then examined by the Director-General for Policy Planning.
To conduct a fundamental statistical survey, the governmental organization planning the survey must seek approval from the Minister in advance on the various aspects stipulated by
114 the Act. Such aspects include the purpose of the survey, contents, coverage, date and method, tabulation plan, date and format for releasing the results, and estimated cost. In principle, the Minister must consult with the Statistics Commission when a judgment is made as to whether to give approval or not.
Examination of statistical budgets
When the budget proposals of all the governmental organizations for statistical surveys and related activities for the following fiscal year have been submitted to the Ministry of Finance, the Director-General for Policy Planning examines them from the viewpoint of overall cross-sectional coordination, necessity, and methodological adequacy, and submits its conclusions to the Ministry of Finance to support the Ministry as it prepares a draft budget.
5. Establishing and improving statistical standards
To ensure the accuracy and objectivity of statistics, and promote comparability and the effective use of statistics, four standard statistical classifications have been established in Japan.
They are as follows:
(a) The Japan Standard Industrial Classification (Established in 1949, with the 13th revision dating back to 2013 now in force) (b) The Japan Standard Classification of Occupations (Established in 1960, with the 5th revision dating back to 2009 now in force) (c) The Japan Standard Commodity Classification (Established in 1950, with the 5th revision dating back to 1990 now in force) (d) The Classification of Diseases, Injuries and Causes of Death (Established in 1951, with the 5th revision dating back to 2005 now in force)
The Japan Standard Industrial Classification as well as the Japan Standard Classification of Occupations are determined after consulting with the Statistics Commission and are promulgated by the Minister. The Classification of Diseases, Injuries and Causes of Death is drafted by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, is determined after consulting with the Statistics Commission, and is promulgated by the Minister. The Japan Standard Commodity Classification is also determined after consulting with the Statistics Commission by the Minister.
6. Compiling national Input-Output Tables
Input-Output Tables systematically present and clarify all the economic activities being performed in a single country, showing how goods and services produced by a certain industry in a given year are distributed among the industry itself, other industries, households, etc., and presents the results in a matrix (row and column) format. It is generally accepted that input-output tables are useful and important for economic and industrial structural analyses, and economic projections. Consequently, they are now compiled in more than 80 countries. Input-Output Tables for Japan have been compiled basically every five years since 1955 in a joint program involving governmental organizations. The present members of the joint
115 program are the MIC (coordinator), the Cabinet Office (CAO), the Financial Services Agency (FSA), the Ministry of Finance (MOF), the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), and the Ministry of Environment (MOE).
The 2005 Input-Output Tables are the latest, the preliminary report was published in August 2008, and the final count report was published in March 2009. Linked Input-Output Tables are also compiled to allow comparison over time. The 1995-2000-2005 linked Input-Output Tables are the most recent, and were published in March 2010.
Currently, the 2011 Input-Output tables are being compiled, and the preliminary report of them was released in the end of 2014.
7. Managing the local government statistical system
Each prefecture of Japan has its own statistics division, which is responsible for the fieldwork associated with large-scale censuses and statistical surveys carried out by the central government, such as the Population Census, the Economic Census, and the Census of Manufacturers. The statistics divisions of the prefectural governments handle the tasks entrusted to them by the Cabinet Office, the MIC, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, etc. in an integrated way. The respective ministries supply the funds required for the fieldwork of censuses and statistical surveys.
The statistics division in each prefecture has its own personnel exclusively engaged in statistical affairs. The number of such personnel assigned to each prefecture is determined by the Director-General for Policy Planning in accordance with workload. The total number of such statistical personnel in fiscal year 2013 was 1,811. Remuneration of these personnel and other associated expenses are subsidized by the Director-General for Policy Planning as the Expenses Entrusted to Local Governments for Statistical Survey Affairs, amounting to around 42.1 billion yen for fiscal year 2013. The number of such personnel in prefectural statistics divisions has been reduced in line with a steady movement toward rationalization in the central government, and the personnel reduction plans of successive administrations.
For large-scale censuses and statistical surveys, municipalities (cities, towns and villages) are involved in fieldwork under the guidance of the prefectural statistics divisions. In almost all municipalities, the divisions in charge of general affairs, finance, planning, public relations, regional development, commerce and industry, tourism, etc. also engage in statistical work. The number of personnel engaged in statistical work in the municipalities totaled 8,068 as of April 2013. Of these, only 1,199 were exclusively engaged in statistical work, with the remaining 6,869 also being involved in other forms of work. The expenses for maintaining statistical personnel in municipalities are covered by grants from the Local Allocation Tax System of central government.
116 8. Promoting the public understanding of statistics
The Director-General for Policy Planning carries out activities to deepen the general public’s interest in and understanding of the importance of statistics, and to obtain greater public cooperation in carrying out government statistical surveys. One such effort has been the introduction of Statistics Day, which the government in 1973 decided would be observed on October 18.
This date was selected to commemorate the day in 1870 when a Dajokan Fukoku (corresponding to a Cabinet Order today) was promulgated concerning the “Table of Products by Prefecture,” the first modern statistical table in Japanese history. (This date was September 24, 1870 in the old lunar calendar, and corresponds to October 18 in the current solar calendar.)
The Cabinet agreed that a variety of events promoting statistical knowledge and understanding should be held nationwide on and around Statistics Day every year. Therefore, the ministries of the central government, local governments and other related organizations present awards to persons who perform meritorious statistical services, hold or sponsor lectures and exhibitions, and engage in a variety of other initiatives to mark the occasion. The Director-General for Policy Planning produces and displays thousands of posters advertising Statistics Day, and supports various events, including statistical conventions. Other major events in which the Director-General for Policy Planning is involved are:
(a) Symposium on Official Statistics by Academicians and Practitioners Statistical academicians and statistical practitioners (those engaged in producing statistics in national and local governments, as well as users of statistics in governmental organizations, private companies, and other bodies) gather every year to exchange views on issues confronting the field of official statistics, and to promote the development and improvement of the official statistical system in Japan. (b) The award for meritorious statistical services, presented by the Minister This award is presented at the Symposium. (c) Display of posters for Statistics Day The public has been invited to contribute slogans for these posters since fiscal year 1992, with the best slogan being used on the 90,000 Statistics Day posters displayed nationwide. (d) Support for the National Competition of Graphic Statistics Excellent work is recognized each year by the Minister’s Special Award at the Symposium. (e) Publicity through newspapers, publications, etc.
A poster for the 2014 Statistics Day
117 9. Coordinating international statistical affairs with international training cooperation
The Director-General for Policy Planning, acting as a liaison officer, is responsible for the comprehensive coordination of the international statistical affairs of the entire government and cooperation with the United Nations Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific (SIAP).
(1) Activities related to international statistical conferences
The Director-General for Policy Planning performs the coordination in the government necessary for international statistical conferences. This is done by compiling the official comments of the government extending over the jurisdictions of several ministries for international meetings, by being actively involved in the conferences, and hence making significant contributions to international statistical activities. The following are the main statistical conferences the Director-General for Policy Planning participates in regularly:
(a) United Nations (UN) Japan has been one of four member countries in the Asian region of the UN Statistical Commission since 1962 (except for the period from 1970 to 1972). The Office of the Director-General for Policy Planning (referred to as “the Office” hereinafter), representing the Japanese government, contributes to considerations in the sessions of the Statistical Commission (held annually). The Office also participates in other UN meetings and seminars dealing with inter-ministerial issues such as climate change and financial crises.
(b) United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) As a member of UNESCAP, the Office participates in the Commission sessions (held annually) and the sessions of the Committee on Statistics (held biennially).
(c) United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) The Office participates as an observer in plenary sessions of the Conference of European Statisticians of the UNECE (held annually).
(d) Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) As a member of the OECD, the Office participates in the sessions of the Meeting of the Committee on Statistics and Statistical Policy (held annually). The Office also participates in other meetings and seminars related to its interest organized or co-organized by the OECD.
(e) International Statistical Institute (ISI) The Director-General for Policy Planning is an Ex-officio Member of the ISI. The Office participates in biennial ISI sessions and takes on appropriate roles such as the paper presenter and chairperson. The Office hosted the ISI 19th session in 1930, the 32nd in 1960, and the 46th in 1987. As an institutional member of the International Association for Official Statistics (IAOS), which is a section of ISI, the Office also participates in conferences and seminars of its interest organized by the IAOS.
(2) Participation in international statistical activities
The Director-General for Policy Planning participates in the following international statistical activities as the coordinator of the official statistics of Japan. The Office prepares the
118 necessary data and information for these activities with the cooperation of each statistics producing organization, and participates in international meetings in connection with the activities when requested.
(a) International Comparison Program (ICP) The ICP is an international project that was launched in 1969 to make a substantial comparison of Gross Domestic Products (GDP) in real terms among various countries in the world by calculating the purchasing power parities (PPP) of the currencies of these countries. As part of the ICP project, the Joint OECD-Eurostat PPP Program with the participation of member countries of OECD and European Union (EU) has been implemented since 1980, under the leadership of the Statistics Directorate of the OECD and the Statistical Office of the EU (Eurostat). Japan has been taking part in the program from the beginning, and the Office acts as the domestic coordinator. The websites relating to ICP are as follows:
ICP: http://siteresources.worldbank.org/ICPEXT/Resources/ICP_2011.html Joint OECD-Eurostat PPP Program: http://www.oecd.org/std/prices-ppp/
(b) Special Data Dissemination Standard (SDDS) Japan complies with the SDDS, established by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 1996, to ensure the transparency of economic and financial statistics and give early warning of possible economic crises. The Office has been assigned as the SDDS coordinator’s position in Japan, and has been promoting compliance by the relevant organizations with the Standard. In addition, the Office is responsible for providing metadata, which is made available through the electronic bulletin board on the IMF website (Dissemination Standards Bulletin Board [DSBB]); this website provides the latest metadata concerning data dissemination practices in participating countries that comply with the Standard. The Office has also set up and maintains a national summary data page on a website presenting the latest major data for the 18 data categories prescribed by the SDDS. The websites relating to the SDDS are as follows:
IMF/DSBB: http://dsbb.imf.org National summary data page: http://www.soumu.go.jp/english/dgpp_ss/nsdp.htm
(3) Providing and exchanging statistical information
The Office, with the cooperation of the concerned statistics producing organizations, provides statistical data and information to international organizations and foreign countries according to their requirements. Further, the Office produces several English publications introducing the statistical activities of Japan for the convenience of foreign countries and international organizations.
For the sake of the concerned organizations in Japan, the Office conducts several activities: a biannual meeting among government executives to have common knowledge and understanding of international statistical issues, a portal site where the Japanese government officers can obtain necessary statistical information such as international standards and guidelines, and a publication by which the Japanese can become familiar with statistical systems of foreign countries.
119 (4) Cooperation with the United Nations Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific
The Government of Japan invited the United Nations Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific (SIAP: http://www.unsiap.or.jp) to set up in Japan, and has been contributing to international cooperation in statistics by supporting the training activities of SIAP for many years. SIAP was established in Tokyo in 1970 by 20 countries in Asia and the Pacific region with the support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to train government statisticians from countries in the region. SIAP was accorded the legal status of a subsidiary body of UNESCAP on April 1, 1995.
The expenses of SIAP staff members are funded by cash contributions from the members and associate members of UNESCAP. As the host government, Japan extends administrative assistance and cooperation, including staff services, building space, computer facilities, supplies and equipment to SIAP through the Office of the Director-General for Policy Planning in addition to cash contributions. Japan also provides fellowships for major training courses conducted at SIAP as part of its technical cooperation program through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The financial contribution of the government of Japan was around US$3.11 million for the fiscal year 2013.
In addition, Japan is one of the members of the SIAP Governing Council, which reviews the administration and financial status of SIAP and the implementation of its program of work. The Director-General for Policy Planning has attended the meeting as the representative of the Government of Japan, and made many contributions to the discussions in the Council while serving as the Vice-Chairperson of the Council.
The purposes of SIAP are to strengthen, through practically- oriented training for official statisticians, the abilities of developing countries to collect, analyze and disseminate statistics, as well as produce timely and high-quality statistics for use in economic and social development planning. It also aims to assist these developing countries with establishing or enhancing their statistical training capabilities and other related activities. For these purposes, SIAP conducts the following training courses:
(a) Group Training Course in Improving Capability in Producing Official Statistics Relating to MDGs Indicators
This course is the main SIAP training program, and is conducted every year for four months for statisticians or government officials with basic knowledge of official statistics and with five years of work experience in the National Statistical Organizations (NSO) of each country in the UNESCAP region. It provides theoretical and practical training in various fields of official statistics, as well as Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Indicators. This course deals with statistical and survey methods, demographic and social statistics, and National Accounts and economic statistics including modern statistical practices of the Japanese statistical system. The Government of Japan grants fellowships for this course through JICA.
(b) Group Training Course in Production and Statistical Analysis of Monitoring Indicators in Support of Inclusive Development Policies
This course is conducted for six weeks for middle level statisticians or government officials who are engaged in data collection, analysis and dissemination of information relating to social and economic statistics, including MDGs. It provides training in production 120 and analyses of official statistics and indicators from household surveys in support of socio-economic disparity analyses. The Government of Japan grants fellowships for this course through JICA.
(c) Tokyo Metropolitan Area Course (TMA Course)
This course provides special training on emerging or key issues for middle level or senior statistical officials from countries in the Asia-Pacific region. “Workshop on Improving the Integration of a Gender Perspective into Official Statistics,” “Workshop on Forging Partnerships in Statistical Training in Asia and the Pacific: Making e-Learning Work for Us,” and “Regional Training on Using Population Census Data for Planning and Decision Making: Thematic Analysis on Youth” have been conducted at SIAP in 2013.
(d) Research-based Training Programme
This course is designed to meet specific needs of participants and their nominating NSOs. The course is implemented to enable NSOs to build up research capability of statisticians at the country level in the Asia-Pacific region.
(e) Regional or Sub-regional Training Courses, Workshops and Seminars
These courses deal with special statistical topics at the request of individual countries, and are of short duration. SIAP requests the cooperation of NSOs and related organizations in these undertakings.
(f) In addition, SIAP often conducts Country Courses, based on requests from countries in the Asia-Pacific region. SIAP sends lecturers for the courses held in the countries making such requests.
SIAP Lectures
121 Chapter VII Statistical Research and Training Institute ChapterChapter VII VII Statistical Statistical Research Research and and Training Training Institute Institute 1. Organization and Functions of the Statistical Research and Training 1. 1.InstituteOrganization Organization and and Functions Functions of ofthe the Statistical Statistical Research Research and and Training Training InstituteInstitute The Statistical Research and Training Institute aims to promote the development and disseminationTheThe Statistical Statistical of Researchstatistical Research andknowledge, and Training Training andInstitu Instituto tec ontributeteaims aims to topromoteto promotethe development the the development development of statistical and and disseminationdisseminationsystems in Japanof ofstatistical andstatistical globally. knowledge, knowledge, The Institute and and to hastocontribute ctwoontribute main to functions:tothe the development development statistical of researchofstatistical statistical and systemssystemsstatistical in Japanin training. Japan and and globally. globally. The The Institute Institute has has two two main main functions: functions: statistical statistical research research and and statisticalstatistical training. training. Organization of the Statistical Research and Training Institute OrganizationOrganization of theof the Statistical Statistical Research Research and and Training Training Institute Institute The Statistical Research and Training Institute Administrative Division The The Statistical Statistical Research Research and and Training Training Institute Institute Administrative Administrative Division Division Planning Division Planning Planning Division Division Research Office Research Research Offic Office e
2. Brief history 2. 2. Brief Brief history history The Institute was founded in 1921 as the Statistics Staff Training Institute within the Census OfficeTheThe Institute (Kokusei-in Institute was was ).founded After founded being in 1921in suspended1921 as theas the Statistic from Statistic 1943s Staffs Staff to Training 1946, Training in Institute 1948 Institute it withinbecame within the a the permanentCensus Census OfficeOfficebody (Kokusei-in attached (Kokusei-in to). Afterthe). After successor being being suspended agencysuspended tofrom thefrom 1943Kokusei-in 1943 to 1946,to 1946,, the in 1948Statisticsin 1948 it became it Bureaubecame a permanentof a permanentthe Prime bodybodyMinister’s attached attached Agency. to theto the successorIn successor1971, the agency Instituteagency to theopenedto the Kokusei-in Kokusei-in its courses, the, tothe Statistics all Statistics personnel Bureau Bureau of national of ofthe the andPrime Prime local Minister’sMinister’sgovernments Agency. Agency. and In public 1971,In 1971, corporations, the the Institute Institute opened and opened was its rena coursesits coursesmed tothe allto Statistical allpersonnel personnel Training of nationalof national Institute and and local of local the governmentsgovernmentsStatistics Bureau. and and public publicIn the corporations, 1984corporations, administrative and and was was renareform renamedmeds, the the StatisticalInstitute Statistical became Training Training a subsidiary Institute Institute of body theof the of StatisticsStatisticsthe Statistics Bureau. Bureau. InCenter theIn the 1984 of 1984 administrativethe administrative Management reform reform ands, thes,Coordination the Institute Institute became becameAgency. a subsidiary a subsidiaryDuring bodythe body 2001of of thetheadministrative Statistics Statistics Center reformsCenter of ofwhenthe the Managementthe Management MIC was andestablished, and Coordination Coordination the Institute Agency. Agency. was Duringtransformed During the the 2001into 2001 the administrativeadministrativeStatistical Research reforms reforms andwhen when Training the the MIC InstituteMIC was was established, (by established, integrating the the Institutethe Institute research was was and transformed transformedpublishing into functions into the the StatisticalStatisticalas well asResearch theResearch library). and and Training This Training was Institute done Institute in order(by (by integrating to integrating establish the a the researchmore research systematic and and publishing publishing connection functions functions between as wellasresearch well as theas andthe library). library).training. This This Inwas wasApril done done in2003, orderin order the to establishtoStatis establishtical a more Researcha more systematic systematic and Trainingconnection connection Institute between between was researchresearchdesignated and and antraining. training.independent In InApril Aprileducational 2003, 2003, the institutithe Statis Statisontical oftical Researchthe Research MIC. Inand Apriland Training Training2013, Institutethe Institute functions was was of designateddesignatedcompiling an statistical anindependent independent compendia, educational educational Statistics instituti instituti Libraryon onof andtheof theStatisticsMIC. MIC. In AprilMuseumIn April 2013, 2013,were the transferredthe functions functions toof the of compilingcompilingStatistics statistical Bureau statistical duecompendia, compendia, to the revision Statistics Statistics of Librarythe Library Order and for and Statistics the Statistics Organization Museum Museum wereof thewere transferred MIC. transferred to theto the StatisticsStatistics Bureau Bureau due due to theto the revision revision of theof the Order Order for forthe the Organization Organization of theof the MIC. MIC. In March 2014, the Institute moved to Kokubunji City located in the west part of TokyoIn InMarch March(in the2014, 2014,facility the the Institute of Institute the Institutemoved moved to for toK okubunji InformationKokubunji City Cityand located Communicationslocated in inthe the west west Policy).part part of of TokyoTokyo (in (in the the facility facility of ofthe the Institute Institute for for Information Information and and Communications Communications Policy). Policy).
3. Statistical training 3. 3.Statistical Statistical training training The Institute fulfills the roles of a central statistical training institute as well as a training instituteTheThe Institute Institutespecializing fulfills fulfills inthe statistics the roles roles of in aof Japan.central a central It sta pr tisticalovidesstatistical varioustraining training statisticalinstitute institute astraining wellas well as courses aas training a training for the instituteinstitutepersonnel specializing specializing of national in statisticsin and statistics local in governments Japan.in Japan. It pr Itovides pr andovides government-affiliated various various statistical statistical training trainingorganizations courses courses for with forthe the personnelpersonnelaim of impartingof nationalof national statistical and and local local knowledge governments governments and and skills and government-affiliated ingovernment-affiliated duties such as the organizations compilation organizations of with statistics, with the the aimstatisticalaim of impartingof imparting analysis, statistical statistical and the knowledge useknowledge of statistical and and skills skillsdata. in duties in duties such such as theas the compilation compilation of statistics,of statistics, statisticalstatistical analysis, analysis, and and the the use use of statisticalof statistical data. data. 122 Statistical Training Courses (FY 2014)
Course Name Contents and Major Subjects Term Comprehensive Course Comprehensive Course A comprehensive training course to acquire statistical 3 months knowledge and theory, and the analytical skills required for policy planning and evaluation in various administrative fields, as well as building up extensive applied skills Introduction to Statistics Courses Statistical Training Course for Staff A course to gain the basic statistical knowledge and the 4 days engaged in Statistical works practical knowledge in statistical surveys such as the planning and design of statistical surveys
Statistical Training Course for Users A course to learn the basic statistical knowledge, the 4 days method of reading principal economic indicators and the fundamental knowledge for using statistical data
Online Online Learning 1 A course designed for personnel newly engaged in 15 days Learning statistical work, to gain the most fundamental statistical
knowledge and theory through Online Learning by using Schooling PCs at their offices as well as “Schooling (group training)” 2 days
Online Learning 2 A course designed for personnel with fundamental 15 days knowledge and theory, to gain analytical knowledge and Schooling theory, through Online Learning alone 1 day Basic Statistical Survey Courses Basic Statistical Survey Course 1 A course designed for mid-level staff to gain the statistical 4 days knowledge required for their work, and study the application of statistics to solve problems using case studies
Basic Statistical Survey Course 2 A course for personnel with skills in EXCEL worksheet 5 days functions for statistical calculations to study analytical methods and basic knowledge on geographical information systems (GIS)
Basic Statistical Survey Course 3 A course to gain practical knowledge and skills in economic 3 days Economic Projections projections using various economic data
123 1 day 1 4 days 4 days 4 day 1 day 1 day 1 1 week 1 week 1 week 1 week 1 week 1 days 3
(Geographic Information (Geographic
124 A course designed for local personnel (targeting the Tokai course designed for local personnel (targeting the Tokai A the most basic District for FY2014), to gain Hokuriku and statistical knowledge and promote the dissemination of knowledge statistical A course to learn basic statistical knowledge, theory and learn basic statistical to course A administrative for data analysis methods required governments local and national in evaluation and skills for utilizing knowledge course to gain basic A in engaged microdata, and to help personnel survey-conducts learn items to be taken into account in microdata providing designed for introducing to educators the methods course A for making materialsthe for statistical classes such as reading statistical tables and Consideration in for method tables statistical using knowledge basic role and the statistical the about course A statistics official of course about as API (Application statistical data such A GIS and Interface) Programming System) A course to gain practical knowledge in the planning and in the planning and practical knowledge gain to course A polls, and sample surveys and opinion statistical of design design and estimation and course to gain knowledge theory A accounts prefectural and national for methods analytical prefectural and national course to gain knowledge of A the structure of as well as I-O tables, and learn accounts methods for estimating economic I-O tables and analytical tables I-O using impacts in knowledge and skills gain practical course to A basic data population estimation using various practicaleconomic in knowledge and skills gain to course A data economic various using projections designed for personnel engaged in GIS-related course A GIS and data gain basic knowledge of statistical to work, software basic GIS using methods analytical
statistical Open data Seminar Statistical Regional Statistical Training Course for newly Statistical Training of appointed municipal directors divisions statistical Course for using Statistical Training Statistical Training Course for Statistical Training educators Introduction to use microdata with statistical analysis software ‘R’ GIS for Methods Statistical Administrative Evaluation Economic Projections Economic and Introduction toAnalysis Regional and Analysis of Economic Impacts Analysis of and Using Tables I-O Estimation Population National and Prefectural Accounts Prefectural and National Tables I-O of Structure Designing Statistical Surveys Statistical Designing
Thematic Courses Specialized Courses Local Training
Statistical Training
4. Statistical research activities
Responding to the various needs of statistics required from the social and economic changes, the following researches are carried out in collaboration with external experts and guest researchers: (a) Research on the advanced usage of statistics (b) Research on the recent trends of the statistical technology (c) Research and investigation for planning of new statistical training courses
Joint Research
Regarding the research on the advanced usage of statistics, various joint-research projects are carried out in collaboration with the guest researchers. The results of the joint-research are published in the “Research Paper” released also on the internet website.
Recent themes of the joint-research are as follows:
(a) A study on an efficient method to process and tabulate census data (b) Analysis for the methodology of business register frame and statistics based on the Establishment Frame Database (c) Research on pseudo micro data for statistical training (d) Analyses of price dispersion using the Japanese National Survey of Prices (e) A study of population and households statistics for the fundamentals in disaster preparedness (f) Analysis of trends in population movement using microdata from the Japanese population census (g) Analysis of trends in the movement of the non-Japanese labor force using microdata from the Japanese population census
125
Publication of Research Memoir of Official Statistics
The issue of “Research Memoir of Official Statistics” is published annually which aims to publicize and introduce the results of statistical research carried out by the Institute, together with the Statistics Bureau and other statistical organizations.
Participation in the Statistical Societies.
The Institute is a participant member of some statistical societies, together with the Statistics Bureau and other statistical organizations, such as Japan Statistical Society, Population Association of Japan, GISA (Geographic Information Systems Association), Japan Economic Association, and JSQC (Japanese Society for Quality Control). The main activities in these statistical societies are releasing the achievements of statistical researches, and also collecting the latest information of the statistical research trends.
126 Chapter VIII National Statistics Center Chapter VIII National Statistics Center
1. Organization and Functions of the National Statistics Center 1. Organization and Functions of the National Statistics Center
The National Statistics Center, as an incorporated administrative agency, is performing The National Statistics Center, as an incorporated administrative agency, is performing tabulation of basic national statistics such as the Population Census and Consumer Price Index tabulation of basic national statistics such as the Population Census and Consumer Price Index as well as working on behalf of various national and local government offices and agencies in as well as working on behalf of various national and local government offices and agencies in the making of various statistics. Furthermore it is also engaged in research and development to the making of various statistics. Furthermore it is also engaged in research and development to maintain reliability of official statistics and to improve statistical technique. maintain reliability of official statistics and to improve statistical technique. The Center is also providing both public and private stakeholders with making and using The Center is also providing both public and private stakeholders with making and using infrastructures for official statistics, including an online survey system and statistical data infrastructures for official statistics, including an online survey system and statistical data dissemination system, while being involved in technical cooperation such as training students dissemination system, while being involved in technical cooperation such as training students from a variety of countries or providing technical support and onsite instruction to developing from a variety of countries or providing technical support and onsite instruction to developing countries. countries.
2. Making of Statistics (Tabulation) 2. Making of Statistics (Tabulation)
All data collected from surveys and censuses the Center receives are processed by All data collected from surveys and censuses the Center receives are processed by category, and the contents are then displayed in a statistical chart. This process is called category, and the contents are then displayed in a statistical chart. This process is called “tabulation”. “tabulation”.
(1) Data Capture (1) Data Capture The Center confirms the type and quantity of survey forms and documents which are The Center confirms the type and quantity of survey forms and documents which are submitted by local governments and/or related other administrative bodies and stores them submitted by local governments and/or related other administrative bodies and stores them securely in a document storage facility when they have been sorted. securely in a document storage facility when they have been sorted. In order to compile statistical data, questionnaires are read using an OCR (optical In order to compile statistical data, questionnaires are read using an OCR (optical character reader) or input by hand on PCs connected to an internal-only network. character reader) or input by hand on PCs connected to an internal-only network. (2) Coding (2) Coding Items of questionnaires that require subjective entry, including “Job Category, “Kind of Items of questionnaires that require subjective entry, including “Job Category, “Kind of Work” and “Household Income and Expenditure”, are subject to coding, based on stipulated Work” and “Household Income and Expenditure”, are subject to coding, based on stipulated classification criteria (such as Industrial Classification, Occupational Classification, and classification criteria (such as Industrial Classification, Occupational Classification, and Income and Expenditure Classification). Income and Expenditure Classification). (3) Data Editing (3) Data Editing Based on data entered using OCR technology and coding classification, the Center Based on data entered using OCR technology and coding classification, the Center examines missing values, validity and consistency of entered data using a computer system. examines missing values, validity and consistency of entered data using a computer system. Deficits in individual data and inconsistencies between survey items lead to a deterioration Deficits in individual data and inconsistencies between survey items lead to a deterioration in public trust and in the quality of the statistics. in public trust and in the quality of the statistics.
(4) Compiling Statistical Tables (4) Compiling Statistical Tables Following the end of the data editing, the “cleaned” data are compiled by computer and Following the end of the data editing, the “cleaned” data are compiled by computer and tabulated. tabulated. Tabulation involves, in addition to cross section data calculation by an estimation Tabulation involves, in addition to cross section data calculation by an estimation method designed for each statistical survey; collecting time series data based on a seasonal method designed for each statistical survey; collecting time series data based on a seasonal adjustment method; counting using the multivariate analysis method; and error calculation adjustment method; counting using the multivariate analysis method; and error calculation for estimating statistical accuracy. These are all based on statistical theory and a variety of for estimating statistical accuracy. These are all based on statistical theory and a variety of techniques. techniques.
127
(5) Results Examining The Center performs a variety of checks and verification such as checking the figures and formatting of results tables tabulated from the statistical data; the logical compliance of statistical values; time series verification of past values; comparison with related statistics; and verification of singular values. This is part of a comprehensive verification from several different angles, looking for inconsistencies in the data and ensuring the quality of the output tables, so as to maintain the quality of output tables.
3. Official Statistics-based Services
The Center provides various national and local government and private and corporate sector bodies with a service based on the shared basic operation and use of official statistics. One such system is the Inter-Ministry Information System for Official Statistics (IMISOS), which is made up of a total of 13 different sub systems, including the Portal Site of Official Statistics of Japan (e-Stat), Online Survey System (OSS or “e-survey”) and a searchable and downloadable database. (See Chapter IV 2 (2) for more detail about the IMISOS, Portal Site of Official Statistics of Japan (e-Stat) and Online Survey System (OSS or “e-survey”)) .
4. Secondary Use Service of Official Statistics Micro data
To deliver effective and efficient secondary use service of official statistics micro data for governmental statistical departments that conduct statistical surveys and censuses, the Center, upon entrustment by ministries, administers such services as micro data archiving, anonymized data production and provision, and tailor-made tabulation. (See Chapter IV 3 for more detail about Secondary Use of statistical information)
5. Technical Research
In order to provide more accurate timely and secure statistical data, the Center is committed to: •Research into optimal algorithms for specification and standardization targeting unfilled or mistaken responses. •Research into artificial intelligence for assisting classification coding. •Research into the process of keeping confidentiality to eliminate individual factors from survey results and tabulation results. From the results of these researches, the National Statistics Center applies new technology to its statistical work, and alongside the Center demonstrates such advances at international conferences and meetings as part of overall efforts to improve and further develop the field of official statistics.
6. International Cooperation
In the field of advanced statistical techniques, the Center conducts international cooperation including: •Dispatch of lecturers to the United Nations Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific •Training students from a variety of countries •Providing technical support and onsite instruction to developing countries
128
APPENDICES
129
Appendix 1-(1) Law to Establish the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications
Promulgated on 16 July 1999 (Law No. 91) Latest amendment pursuant to Law No.75 of 2014 (Excerpts)
Purpose of the Law Article 1 The purpose of this law is to establish the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and to determine clearly its responsibilities, the scope of specific functions and the organization necessary for the efficient execution of administrative affairs for which it is responsible.
Establishment Article 2 In accordance with the provisions of Paragraph 2 of Article 3 of the National Government Organization Law, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications shall be established.
Specific Functions Article 4 The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications shall have the following scope in terms of its specific functions in order to accomplish its responsibilities.
(81) To plan fundamental matters for the improvement and development of statistics and statistical system; (82) To examine statistical survey plans for approval, to establish a system of statistical standards and to coordinate governmental statistical affairs; (83) To plan training programs and to administer qualifying examinations for statistical officials; (84) To coordinate international statistical affairs; (85) To execute and tabulate the Population Census and other fundamental statistical censuses and surveys as well as statistical surveys entrusted by other national administrative organizations and local governments; (86) To conduct research on statistical methods and to improve and develop statistics. (96) To provide the following trainings at the educational training facilities established by the cabinet order. (b) Statistical training courses for civil servants of the national and local governments.
131 Appendix 1-(2) Statistics Act
Promulgated on 23 May 2007 (Act No. 53)
Chapter 1 General Provisions
Purpose of the Act Article 1 Recognizing that official statistics are critical information for the citizens in their reasonable decision making, the purposes of this Act are to promote systematic and efficient development of official statistics and to ensure the usefulness thereof through specifying basic matters concerning the production and provision of official statistics, and thereby to contribute to the sound development of the national economy and enhancement of the living standards of the citizens. Definitions Article 2 (1) The term “administrative organs” as used in this Act means organs established within the Cabinet or organs established under the jurisdiction of the Cabinet pursuant to the provisions of laws, the Imperial Household Agency, organs provided in Article 49, paragraph (1) or paragraph (2) of the Act for Establishment of the Cabinet Office (Act No. 89 of 1999) or organs provided in Article 3, paragraph (2) of the National Government Organization Act (Act No. 120 of 1948). (2) The term “incorporated administrative agencies, etc.” as used in this Act means juridical persons listed as follows:
(i) Incorporated administrative agencies (meaning incorporated administrative agencies provided in Article 2, paragraph (1) of the Act on General Rules for Incorporated Administrative Agencies (Act No. 103 of 1999; the same shall apply in the following items); (ii) Juridical persons specified by a Cabinet Order among those directly incorporated by Acts, those incorporated through a special act for establishment under a special Act (excluding incorporated administrative agencies), or those incorporated under special Acts and where approval from administrative agencies is required for their incorporation. (3) The term “official statistics” as used in this Act means statistics produced by administrative organs, local public entities, or incorporated administrative agencies, etc. (hereinafter referred to as “administrative organs, etc.”). (4) The term “fundamental statistics” as used in this Act means statistics falling under any of the following items: (i) Population census statistics provided in Article 5, paragraph (1); (ii) National accounts provided in Article 6, paragraph (1); (iii) Statistics that are or are to be produced by administrative organs and are designated by the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications as those falling under any of the following: (a) Statistics that are particularly important for planning national policies and implementing them;
(b) Statistics that are expected to be widely utilized for decision-making or research activities in the private sector; (c) Statistics that are required to be produced by international conventions or plans established by international organizations or that are particularly important in view of international comparability. (5) The term “statistical surveys” as used in this Act means surveys conducted by administrative organs, etc. by requesting individuals or juridical persons, or other organizations to report facts for the purpose of producing statistics; provided, however, that the following shall be excluded: (i) Surveys conducted by administrative organs, etc. within respective organs; (ii) Surveys on which any act or Cabinet Order, other than this Act and orders based
132 on this Act, provides that administrative organs, etc. are requested to report the fact; (iii) Surveys that administrative organs, etc. specified by a Cabinet Order conduct with regard to duties specified by a Cabinet Order. (6) The term “fundamental statistical surveys” as used in this Act means statistical surveys for the purpose of producing fundamental statistics. (7) The term “general statistical surveys” as used in this Act means surveys other than fundamental statistical surveys among statistical surveys conducted by administrative organs. (8) The term “establishment frame database” as used in this Act means the collection of information concerning establishments that is systematically organized so that the information may be retrieved by using computers. (9) The term “statistical standards” as used in this Act means technical standards for ensuring uniformity and comprehensiveness in producing official statistics. (10) The term “administrative record information” as used in this Act means information produced or acquired by officials of administrative organs in the course of their duties, held by the administrative organs for their officials to utilize organizationally, and recorded in administrative documents (meaning administrative documents provided in Article 2, paragraph (2) of the Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs (Act No. 42 of 1999)) (such information shall exclude questionnaire information pertaining to fundamental statistical surveys and general statistical surveys, information recorded in the establishment frame database, and anonymized data). (11) The term “questionnaire information” as used in this Act means information collected through statistical surveys that is recorded in documents, pictures, or electromagnetic records (meaning records made by an electronic form, a magnetic form, or any other form not recognizable to human perception). (12) The term “anonymized data” as used in this Act means questionnaire information that is processed so that no particular individuals or juridical persons, or other organizations shall be identified (including by way of collating it with other information), for the purpose of providing it for general use.
Fundamental Principles Article 3 (1) Official statistics shall be developed systematically through mutual cooperation and the appropriate sharing of roles among administrative organs, etc. (2) Official statistics shall be produced with appropriate and reasonable methodologies, so as to ensure neutrality and reliability.
(3) Official statistics shall be provided widely for the citizens so that they are easily accessible for their effective use. (4) Confidential matters concerning individuals or juridical persons, or other organizations that were used for producing official statistics shall be protected.
Master Plan Article 4 (1) The government shall establish a Master Plan concerning the development of official statistics (hereinafter referred to as the “Master Plan” in this Article) in order to promote measures comprehensively and systematically concerning the development of official statistics. (2) The Master Plan shall specify the following matters: (i) Master policies for measures concerning the development of official statistics; (ii) Measures that the government shall implement comprehensively and systematically in order to develop official statistics; (iii) Other matters necessary to promote the development of official statistics. (3) In establishing the Master Plan for official statistics, matters pertaining to fundamental statistics and those pertaining to other official statistics shall be stated separately. (4) The Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications shall draw up a draft Master Plan while hearing the opinions of the Statistics Commission, and shall request a
133 decision of the Cabinet. (5) The Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications shall, when intending to prepare a draft Master Plan pursuant to the provision of the preceding paragraph, take necessary measures in advance to reflect the opinions of the citizens pursuant to the provision of an Ordinance of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. (6) The government shall revise the Master Plan approximately every five years, taking into account the changes in socioeconomic circumstances concerning statistics, based on evaluation of the effects of measures taken for the development of official statistics. In this case, the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs shall apply mutatis mutandis.
Chapter 2 Production of Official Statistics
Section 1 Fundamental Statistics
Population Census Statistics Article 5 (1) With regard to persons specified by a Cabinet Order as those residing in Japan, the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications shall conduct a complete census concerning individuals and households and produce statistics based on such a census (hereinafter referred to as “population census statistics” in this Article). (2) The Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications shall conduct a complete census as specified in the preceding paragraph (hereinafter referred to as the “population census”) every ten years and produce population census statistics. In the fifth year from the preceding population census, the population census shall be conducted in a simplified manner to produce population census statistics. (3) In addition to what is provided for in the preceding paragraph, the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications may conduct an extraordinary population census to produce population census statistics, when he/she finds it necessary.
National Accounts Statistics Article 6 (1) The Prime Minister shall establish standards for producing national accounts statistics (hereinafter referred to simply as the “production standards” in this Article) in accordance with the standards concerning the system of national accounts specified by the United Nations, and produce national accounts statistics at least once a year thereon. (2) The Prime Minister shall, when intending to establish the production standards, hear the opinions of the Statistics Commission in advance. The same shall also apply to cases where he/she intends to modify it. (3) The Prime Minister shall, when having established the production standards, publicly notify to that effect. The same shall also apply to cases where he/she has modified it.
Designation of Fundamental Statistics Article 7 (1) The Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications shall, when intending to make a designation under Article 2, paragraph (4), item (iii) (hereinafter referred to simply as a “designation” in this Article), consult with the head of the relevant administrative organ and hear the opinions of the Statistics Commission in advance. (2) The Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications shall, when having made a designation, publicly notify to that effect. (3) The provisions of the preceding two paragraphs shall apply mutatis mutandis to changes in or cancellation of a designation.
Publication of Fundamental Statistics, etc. Article 8 (1) The head of an administrative organ shall, when having produced fundamental statistics, promptly publicize the fundamental statistics and matters specified by the Cabinet Order concerning fundamental statistics through the Internet or through other
134 appropriate methods. (2) The head of an administrative organ shall, when intending to publicize the fundamental statistics prescribed in the preceding paragraph, specify the date and methods of publication and publicize them through the Internet or through other appropriate methods in advance. (3) The head of an administrative organ shall preserve information on fundamental statistics on a long-term and systematic basis and take other appropriate measures so that the citizens may always have easy access to such information.
Section 2 Statistical Surveys
Subsection 1 Fundamental Statistical Surveys
Approval of Fundamental Statistical Surveys Article 9 (1) The head of an administrative organ shall, when intending to conduct a fundamental statistical survey, obtain approval from the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications in advance. (2) The head of an administrative organ who intends to obtain approval under the preceding paragraph shall submit a written application containing the following matters to the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications: (i) The title and the purpose of the survey; (ii) The coverage of the survey; (iii) Matters on which a report is requested and the reference date or period; (iv) Persons requested to report; (v) Methods for requesting a report; (vi) The period for requesting a report; (vii) Tabulation items; (viii) Methods and the date for publicizing survey results; (ix) Statistical standards to be used and other matters specified by an Ordinance of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. (3) Questionnaires and other documents specified by an Ordinance of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications shall be attached to a written application under the preceding paragraph. (4) The Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications shall, when an application for approval set forth in paragraph (1) has been filed, hear the opinions of the Statistics Commission; provided, however, that this shall not apply to the matters that the Statistics Commission finds to be minor.
Standard for Approval Article 10 The Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications shall, when finding that a fundamental statistical survey pertaining to an application for approval under Article 9, paragraph (1) conform to all the following requirements, grant approval under the same paragraph: (i) Matters listed in Article 9, paragraph (2), items (ii) to (vi) are necessary and sufficient in light of the purpose of producing the fundamental statistics; (ii) The fundamental statistical survey is reasonable and appropriate in terms of statistical techniques; (iii) Duplication with other fundamental statistical surveys is within the limit considered to be reasonable.
Changes or Suspension of Fundamental Statistical Surveys Article 11 (1) The head of an administrative organ shall, when intending to change or suspend a fundamental statistical survey for which he/she has obtained approval under Article 9, paragraph (1), obtain approval from the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications in advance.
135 (2) The provision of Article 9, paragraph (4) shall apply mutatis mutandis to the approval for changes in and suspension of fundamental statistical surveys prescribed in the preceding paragraph, and the provision of Article 10 shall apply mutatis mutandis to the approval for changes in fundamental statistical surveys provided in the same paragraph.
Request for Measures Article 12 (1) The Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications may, when finding that a fundamental statistical survey which is being conducted based on the approval under Article 9, paragraph (1) has become unconformable to any of the requirements listed in each item of Article 10, request the head of the relevant administrative organ to change or suspend the fundamental statistical survey. (2) The Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications shall, when intending to request a change or suspension pursuant to the provision of the preceding paragraph, hear the opinions of the Statistics Commission in advance.
Obligation to Report Article 13 (1) The head of an administrative organ may, when conducting a fundamental statistical survey based on the approval under Article 9, paragraph (1), request individuals or juridical persons, or other organizations to report on matters necessary for producing fundamental statistics. (2) A person who has been requested to report pursuant to the provision of the preceding paragraph shall not refuse such request nor make a false report. (3) When a person who has been requested to report pursuant to the provision of paragraph (1) is a minor (excluding those who have the same capacity as adults with regard to work) or an adult ward, the statutory representative thereof shall be obliged to report in lieu of the person in question.
Enumerators Article 14 The head of an administrative organ may put in place enumerators when it is necessary for conducting a fundamental statistical survey.
Entry and Inspection, etc. Article 15 (1) The head of an administrative organ may, when finding it necessary to request an accurate report for a fundamental statistical survey which he/she conducts, request the person who has been requested to report for the fundamental statistical survey to submit materials concerning the report, or have his/her enumerators or other officials enter the necessary places to inspect books, documents, and other articles, or question any persons concerned. (2) Enumerators or other officials who enter a place for inspection pursuant to the provision of the preceding paragraph shall carry a certificate for identification and produce it to the persons concerned when requested. (3) The authority pursuant to the provision of paragraph (1) shall not be construed as that for the purpose of criminal investigation.
Affairs Undertaken by Local Public Entities Article 16 A part of the affairs concerning fundamental statistical surveys may be undertaken by the heads of local public entities or boards of education pursuant to the provision of a Cabinet Order.
Prohibition of Impersonating Fundamental Statistical Surveys Article 17 No person shall acquire information from individuals or juridical persons or other organizations by using an indication or explanation that might lead persons to misidentify it as a request for a report for the population census or other fundamental statistical surveys.
136
Delegation to Orders Article 18 In addition to what is provided for in this Act, matters necessary in conducting fundamental statistical surveys shall be specified by orders.
Subsection 2 General Statistical Surveys
Approval of General Statistical Surveys Article 19 (1) The head of an administrative organ shall, when intending to conduct a general statistical survey, obtain approval from the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications in advance. (2) The provisions of Article 9, paragraph (2) and paragraph (3) shall apply mutatis mutandis to the approval set forth in the preceding paragraph.
Standard for Approval Article 20 The Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications shall, when finding that a general statistical survey pertaining to an application for approval under Article 19, paragraph (1) conforms to all of the following requirements, grant approval under the same paragraph: (i) The general statistical survey is rational and reasonable in terms of statistical techniques; (ii) Duplication with other statistical surveys conducted by administrative organs is within the limit considered to be reasonable.
Changes in or Suspension of General Statistical Surveys Article 21 (1) The head of an administrative organ shall, when intending to change a general statistical survey for which he/she had obtained approval under Article 19, paragraph (1), obtain approval from the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications in advance; provided, however, that this shall not apply when he/she intends to make minor changes specified by an Ordinance of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. (2) The provision of the preceding Article shall apply mutatis mutandis to approval for changes in general statistical surveys specified in the preceding paragraph. (3) The head of an administrative organ shall, when intending to suspend a general statistical survey for which he/she had obtained approval under Article 19, paragraph (1), notify to that effect to the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications in advance.
Request for Improvement of General Statistical Surveys Article 22 (1) The Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications may, when finding that a general statistical survey which is being conducted based on the approval under Article 19, paragraph (1) has become unconformable to any of the requirements listed in each item of Article 20, request the head of the relevant administrative organ to change matters for requesting a report or take other measures necessary for making the survey conform to the requirements. (2) When the head of an administrative organ set forth in the preceding paragraph has not responded to the request under the same paragraph, the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications may request the suspension of the general statistical survey.
Publication of the Results of General Statistical Surveys, etc. Article 23 (1) The head of an administrative organ shall, when having compiled the results of a general statistical survey, promptly publicize the results of the general statistical survey and matters specified by the Cabinet Order concerning general statistical surveys through the Internet or through other appropriate methods; provided, however, that if there are any special circumstances, the whole or a part of them may be withheld to be publicized.
137 (2) The provision of Article 8, paragraph (3) shall apply mutatis mutandis to information concerning the results of general statistical surveys.
Subsection 3 Statistical Surveys Conducted by Local Public Entities or Incorporated Administrative Agencies, etc.
Statistical Surveys Conducted by Local Public Entities Article 24 (1) The head of a local public entity (limited to those specified by a Cabinet Order, taking into account the size of the entity; the same shall apply hereinafter, excluding in Article 30, Article 41, item (v) and item (vi), and Article 53) or any other executive committees shall, when intending to conduct a statistical survey, notify the following matters to the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications in advance, pursuant to the provision of a Cabinet Order. The same shall also apply to cases where he/she intends to change any such matters. (i) The title and the purpose of the survey; (ii) The coverage of the survey; (iii) Matters on which a report is requested and the reference date or period; (iv) Persons requested to report; (v) Methods for requesting a report; (vi) The period for requesting a report.
(2) The Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications may, when finding it likely that the statistical survey for which a notification under the preceding paragraph was made might hinder the implementation of a fundamental statistical survey, request the head of the local public entity or any other executive committees to change or suspend the statistical survey for which the notification was made.
Statistical Surveys Conducted by Incorporated Administrative Agencies, etc. Article 25 An incorporated administrative agency, etc. (limited to those specified by a Cabinet Order as those that are supposed to conduct large scale statistical surveys, taking into account the contents of the business thereof or other circumstances) shall, when intending to conduct a statistical survey, notify the matters listed in each item of Article 24, paragraph (1) to the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications in advance, pursuant to the provision of a Cabinet Order. The same shall also apply to cases where it intends to change them.
Section 3 Miscellaneous Provisions
Notice of Methods to Produce Fundamental Statistics Article 26 (1) The head of an administrative organ shall, when producing fundamental statistics through a method other than statistical surveys, notify the method to the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications in advance. The same shall also apply to cases where he/she intends to change the method (excluding cases where he/she intends to make minor changes specified by a Cabinet Order). (2) The Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications may, when finding it necessary to improve the method of producing fundamental statistics for which a notification was made under the preceding paragraph, present his/her opinions to the head of the relevant administrative organ. (3) The Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications shall, when intending to present his/her opinions pursuant to the provision of the preceding paragraph, hear the opinions of the Statistics Commission in advance.
Development of Establishment Frame Database Article 27 (1) The Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications shall develop an establishment frame database by utilizing questionnaire information pertaining to fundamental
138 statistical surveys or general statistical surveys, questioning juridical persons and other organizations or through other methods, for the purpose of contributing to the accurate and efficient production of statistics by administrative organs, local public entities, and incorporated administrative agencies, etc. that have made a notification under Article 25 (hereinafter referred to as “incorporated administrative agencies, etc. under Article 25”) and the reduction of the burden on respondents of statistical surveys by them. (2) The head of an administrative organ, the head of a local public entity or any other executive committees, or an incorporated administrative agency, etc. under Article 25 may receive information recorded in the establishment frame database from the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications for the following purposes: (i) For sampling for the statistical surveys they conduct concerning establishments; (ii) For producing statistics concerning establishments.
Establishment of Statistical Standards Article 28 (1) The Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications shall establish statistical standards pursuant to the provision of a Cabinet Order. (2) The Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications shall, when intending to establish statistical standards under the preceding paragraph, hear the opinions of the Statistics Commission in advance. The same shall also apply to cases where he/she intends to revise or abolish such standards. (3) The Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications shall, when having established statistical standards under paragraph (1), publicly notify such standards. The same shall also apply to cases where he/she has modified or abolished such standards.
Request for Cooperation Article 29 (1) The head of an administrative organ may, when finding that utilizing administrative record information held by other administrative organs would contribute significantly to the accurate and efficient production of statistics and the reduction of the burden on respondents of statistical surveys, request the heads of the administrative organs that hold the administrative record information to provide such information. In this case, the head of the administrative organ that requests the provision of administrative record information shall clearly indicate the purpose of using it and other matters specified by a Cabinet Order to the heads of the administrative organs that hold the relevant administrative record information. (2) In addition to what is specified in the preceding paragraph, the head of an administrative organ may, when finding it necessary for conducting fundamental statistical surveys smoothly or for producing fundamental statistics, request the heads of other administrative organs to research, report, or offer other cooperation.
Article 30 In addition to what is specified in the preceding Article, the head of an administrative organ may, when finding it necessary for conducting fundamental statistical surveys smoothly or for producing fundamental statistics, request the heads of local public entities and other persons concerned to cooperate.
Article 31 (1) The Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications may, when finding it necessary for producing fundamental statistics, request the heads of administrative organs, other than the one that produces the fundamental statistics, and other persons concerned to provide necessary materials to and cooperate in other matters with the head of the administrative organ that produces the fundamental statistics. (2) The Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications shall, when intending to make a request under the preceding paragraph, hear the opinions of the Statistics Commission in advance.
Chapter 3 Utilization and Provision of Questionnaire Information, etc.
139 Secondary Use of Questionnaire Information Article 32 The head of an administrative organ or an incorporated administrative agency, etc. under Article 25 may utilize questionnaire information pertaining to statistical surveys they have conducted in the following cases: (i) When producing statistics or conducting statistical research (hereinafter referred to as “production of statistics, etc.”); (ii) When preparing lists of names to be used for surveys for producing statistics.
Provision of Questionnaire Information Article 33 When persons listed in the following items take the acts specified in the respective items, the head of an administrative organ or an incorporated administrative agency, etc. under Article 25 may provide such persons with questionnaire information pertaining to statistical surveys they have conducted: (i) An administrative organ, etc. or a person specified by an Ordinance of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications as deemed to be equivalent to an administrative organ, etc.: the production of statistics, etc. or preparation of a list of names pertaining to surveys for producing statistics; (ii) A person who is engaged in production of statistics, etc. that serve public interests which are recognized by an Ordinance of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications as equivalent to the production of statistics, etc. conducted by a person specified in the preceding item: the production of statistics specified by the Ordinance of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.
Production of Statistics, etc. by Entrustment Article 34 The head of an administrative organ or an incorporated administrative agency, etc. under Article 25 may conduct production of statistics, etc. by utilizing questionnaire information pertaining to statistical surveys conducted by himself/herself in response to the request from the citizens, pursuant to the provision of an Ordinance of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, within limits that would not cause any hindrance to the performance of his/her business, when finding that it would contribute to the development of academic researches or in other cases specified by an Ordinance of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.
Production of Anonymized Data Article 35 (1) The head of an administrative organ or an incorporated administrative agency, etc. under Article 25 may produce anonymized data by processing questionnaire information pertaining to statistical surveys they have conducted. (2) The head of an administrative organ shall, when intending to produce anonymized data pertaining to fundamental statistical surveys pursuant to the provision of the preceding paragraph, hear the opinions of the Statistics Commission in advance.
Provision of Anonymized Data Article 36 The head of an administrative organ or an incorporated administrative agency, etc. under Article 25 may provide anonymized data produced pursuant to the provision of Article 35, paragraph (1) upon a request from the citizens, pursuant to the provision of an Ordinance of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, when finding that it would contribute to the development of academic researches or in other cases specified by an Ordinance of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.
Entrustment of Duties Article 37 The head of an administrative organ or an incorporated administrative agency, etc. under Article 25 shall, when intending to entrust all of the work to be conducted pursuant to the provisions of Article 34 or Article 36 with regard to questionnaire information pertaining to statistical surveys they have conducted, entrust such businesses to incorporated administrative agencies, etc. specified by a Cabinet Order, taking into account the
140 contents of the business thereof or other circumstances.
Fees Article 38 (1) A person who makes an entrustment to the head of an administrative organ pursuant to the provision of Article 34 or a person who receives the provision of anonymized data produced by the head of an administrative organ pursuant to the provision of Article 36 shall pay a fee specified by a Cabinet Order by taking into account the actual cost to the national government (when an incorporated administrative agency, etc. which have accepted an entrustment under the preceding Article (hereinafter referred to as “entrusted incorporated administrative agency, etc.” in this Article) conduct all of the duties pursuant to the provision of Article 34 or Article 36, a fee shall be paid to the entrusted incorporated administrative agency, etc.). Article 38 (2) A fee paid to an entrusted incorporated administrative agency, etc. pursuant to the provision of the preceding paragraph shall be deemed to be the revenue of the entrusted incorporated administrative agency, etc. Article 38 (3) A person who makes an entrustment to an incorporated administrative agency, etc. under Article 25 pursuant to the provision of Article 34 or a person who receives the anonymized data produced by an incorporated administrative agency, etc. under Article 25 pursuant to the provision of Article 36 shall pay a fee specified by the incorporated administrative agency, etc. under Article 25 by taking into account the actual cost and the amount of fee under paragraph (1) to the incorporated administrative agency, etc. under Article 25. Article 38 (4) An incorporated administrative agency, etc. under Article 25 shall make the fee schedule under the preceding paragraph available for public view.
Chapter 4 Protection of Questionnaire Information, etc.
Appropriate Management of Questionnaire Information, etc. Article 39 (1) Any person listed in the following items shall take measures necessary for managing information specified in the respective items in an appropriate manner: (i) The head of an administrative organ: questionnaire information pertaining to statistical surveys conducted by the administrative organ, questionnaire information pertaining to fundamental statistical surveys or general statistical surveys to be utilized pursuant to the provision of Article 27, paragraph (1), information recorded in the establishment frame database, administrative record information provided by other administrative organs pursuant to the provision of Article 29, paragraph (1), and anonymized data produced pursuant to the provision of Article 35, paragraph (1); (ii) The head of a local public entity or any other executive committees: questionnaire information pertaining to statistical surveys conducted by the local public entity, and information recorded in the establishment frame database that was provided by the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications pursuant to the provision of Article 27, paragraph (2);
(iii) An incorporated administrative agency, etc. under Article 25: questionnaire information pertaining to statistical surveys conducted by the incorporated administrative agency, etc. under Article 25, information recorded in the establishment frame database, and anonymized data produced pursuant to the provision of Article 35, paragraph (1). (2) The provision of the preceding paragraph shall apply mutatis mutandis to a person who has accepted an entrustment of business concerning the handling of information specified in each item of the same paragraph from a person listed in the respective items or a person who has accepted an entrustment of other business pertaining to the entrustment.
Restriction on Use of Questionnaire Information, etc.
141 Article 40 (1) The head of an administrative organ, the head of a local public entity or any other executive committees, or an incorporated administrative agency, etc. under Article 25 shall not utilize themselves or provide questionnaire information pertaining to statistical surveys they have conducted for purposes other than the original purpose of the statistical surveys except as otherwise provided by this Act (in case of the head of a local public entity or any other executive committees, except as otherwise provided by this Act or an Ordinance of the local public entity). (2) The head of an administrative organ, the head of a local public entity or any other executive committees, or an incorporated administrative agency, etc. under Article 25 who have received the information recorded in the establishment frame database from the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications pursuant to the provision of Article 27, paragraph (2) shall not utilize themselves or provide information recorded in the establishment frame database for purposes other than those listed in each item of the same paragraph. (3) The head of an administrative organ who has received the provision of administrative record information pursuant to the provision of Article 29, paragraph (1) shall not utilize himself/herself or provide the administrative record information for purposes other than those clearly indicated pursuant to the provision of the same paragraph.
Confidentiality Obligation Article 41 Any person listed in the following items shall not divulge any secrets of individuals or juridical persons, or other organizations which he/she has learned with regard to the business specified in the respective items: (i) A person who is or was an official of an administrative organ engaged in the handling of information specified in Article 39, paragraph (1), item (i): the business to handle the information; (ii) A person who is or was an official of a local public entity engaged in the handling of information specified in Article 39, paragraph (1), item (ii): the business to handle the information; (iii) A person who is or was an executive officer or an employee of an incorporated administrative agency, etc. under Article 25 engaged in the handling of information specified in Article 39, paragraph (1), item (iii): the business to handle the information; (iv) A person who has accepted an entrustment of business concerning the handling of information specified in the preceding three items from an administrative organ, a local public entity, or an incorporated administrative agency, etc. under Article 25 or a person who is or was engaged in other business pertaining to the entrustment: the business pertaining to the entrustment; (v) In cases where part of the businesses concerning fundamental statistical surveys shall be conducted by a local public entity pursuant to the provision of Article 16, a person who is or was an official of the local public entity engaged in the handling of questionnaire information pertaining to fundamental statistical surveys: information recorded in the establishment frame database, and administrative record information provided by other administrative organs pursuant to the provision of Article 29, paragraph (1): the business to handle the information; (vi) A person who has accepted an entrustment of business concerning the handling of information provided in the preceding item from a local public entity provided in the same item, or a person who is or was engaged in other business pertaining to the entrustment: the business pertaining to the entrustment.
Appropriate Management by a Person Who Has Received Questionnaire Information, etc. Article 42 (1) Any person listed in the following items shall take necessary measures for managing the information specified in the respective items in an appropriate manner: (i) A person who has received questionnaire information pursuant to the provision of Article 33: the questionnaire information;
142 (ii) A person who has received anonymized data pursuant to the provision of Article 36: the anonymized data. (2) The provision of the preceding paragraph shall apply mutatis mutandis to a person who has accepted an entrustment of the business concerning the handling of information specified in each item of the same paragraph from a person listed in the respective items or a person who has accepted an entrustment of other business pertaining to the entrustment.
Confidentiality Obligation of a Person Who Has Received Questionnaire Information, etc. Article 43 (1) Any person listed in the following items shall not divulge any secrets of individuals or juridical persons, or other organizations which he/she has learned with regard to the business specified in the respective items: (i) A person listed in paragraph (1), item (i) of the preceding Article who is or was engaged in the handling of questionnaire information specified in the same item: the business to handle the questionnaire information; (ii) A person who has accepted an entrustment of the business concerning the handling of questionnaire information specified in paragraph (1), item (i) of the preceding Article from a person specified in the same item, or a person who is or was engaged in other business pertaining to the entrustment: the business pertaining to the entrustment. (2) A person who has received questionnaire information pursuant to the provision of Article 33, or a person who has received anonymized data pursuant to the provision of Article 36, a person who has accepted an entrustment of the business concerning the handling of the questionnaire information or the anonymized data from such persons, or a person who is or was engaged in other business pertaining to the entrustment shall not utilize himself/herself or provide the questionnaire information or the anonymized data for purposes other than those for having received the provision thereof.
Chapter 5 The Statistics Commission
Establishment Article 44 The Statistics Commission (hereinafter referred to as “the Commission”) shall be established in the Cabinet Office.
Affairs under the Jurisdiction Article 45 The Commission shall deal with matters under the authority thereof pursuant to the provisions of this Act.
Organization Article 46 (1) The Commission shall be composed of 13 members or less. (2) Temporary members may be installed in the Commission when it is necessary to have them study and deliberate special matters. (3) Expert members may be installed in the Commission when it is necessary to have them research specialized matters.
Appointment of Members, etc. Article 47 (1) Members and temporary members shall be appointed by the Prime Minister from among persons with relevant knowledge and experience. (2) Expert members shall be appointed by the Prime Minister from among persons with relevant knowledge and experience concerning the relevant specialized matters.
Term of Office of Members, etc. Article 48 (1) The term of office of members shall be two years; provided, however, that the term of office of a fill-in member shall be the remaining term of such a predecessor. (2) Members may be reappointed.
143 (3) Temporary members shall be dismissed upon termination of the study of and deliberation on the relevant special matters pertaining to the appointment thereof. (4) Expert members shall be dismissed upon termination of the research on the relevant specialized matters pertaining to the appointment thereof. (5) Members, temporary members, and expert members shall be part-time.
Chairperson Article 49 (1) The Commission shall put in place a chairperson, who shall be elected from among the members. (2) The chairperson shall preside over the affairs of the Commission and represent it. (3) Should the chairperson have an accident, a member he/she has appointed in advance shall carry out the duties of chairperson in his/her place.
Request for Submission of Materials Article 50 The Commission may, when finding it necessary for performing affairs under the jurisdiction, request the heads of relevant administrative organs to submit materials, state their opinions, explain, and offer other necessary cooperation.
Delegation to a Cabinet Order Article 51 In addition to what is provided for in this Act, necessary matters concerning the Commission shall be prescribed by a Cabinet Order.
Chapter 6 Miscellaneous Provisions
Exclusion from Application of the Act on the Protection of Personal Information Held by Administrative Organs, etc. Article 52 (1) Personal information (meaning personal information prescribed in Article 2, paragraph (2) of the Act on the Protection of Personal Information Held by Administrative Organs (Act No. 58 of 2003) and personal information prescribed in Article 2, paragraph (2) of the Act on the Protection of Personal Information Held by Incorporated Administrative Agencies, etc. (Act No. 59 of 2003); hereinafter the same shall apply in this paragraph) contained in questionnaire information pertaining to fundamental statistical surveys and general statistical surveys, personal information contained in the establishment frame database, and personal information contained in administrative record information provided by other administrative organs pursuant to the provision of Article 29, paragraph (1) shall be excluded from the application of such Acts.
(2) The provisions of the Act on the Protection of Personal Information Held by Incorporated Administrative Agencies, etc. shall not apply to personal information (such personal information shall be as provided in Article 2, paragraph (2) of the Act on the Protection of Personal Information Held by Incorporated Administrative Agencies, etc.) contained in questionnaire information pertaining to statistical surveys conducted by incorporated administrative agencies, etc. under Article 25 which fall under incorporated administrative agencies, etc. provided in Article 2, paragraph (1) of the said Act.
Promotion of Research and Study concerning Methods to Produce Official Statistics, etc. Article 53 The national government and local public entities shall promote research, study and development concerning methods to produce official statistics, and at the same time, shall provide training and take other measures for securing the enumerators and other personnel who are engaged in the production of official statistics and for enhancing their quality.
Provision of Whereabouts Information of Official Statistics Article 54 The Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications shall, for the convenience of
144 persons who intend to utilize official statistics, take necessary measures to promptly provide whereabouts information of official statistics through the use of the Internet or other advanced information and telecommunications networks.
Publication of the Situation of the Enforcement, etc. Article 55 (1) The Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications may request the heads of administrative organs, heads of local public entities or other executive committees, or incorporated administrative agencies, etc. under Article 25 to report on the situation of the enforcement of this Act. (2) The Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications shall compile those reports set forth in the preceding paragraph every year, publicize the outline thereof and report the outline to the Commission. (3) The Commission may, when there have been any reports pursuant to the provision of the preceding paragraph, state its opinions on the enforcement of this Act to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications, or the heads of the administrative organs concerned.
Request for Submission of Materials and Explanation Article 56 In addition to what is specified in paragraph (1) of the preceding Article, the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications may, when finding it necessary for the enforcement of this Act, request the heads of the administrative organs concerned or other persons concerned to submit materials and make an explanation.
Chapter 7 Penal Provisions
Article 57 (1) Any person who falls under any of the following items shall be punished by imprisonment with work for not more than two years or a fine of not more than 1,000,000 yen: (i) Any person who, in violation of Article 17, acquired information of individuals or juridical persons, or other organizations by using an indication or explanation that might lead persons to misidentify it as a request for a report for the population census or any other fundamental statistical surveys; (ii) Any person who, in violation of Article 41, divulged any secrets of individuals or juridical persons, or other organizations which he/she learned with regard to the business thereof; (iii) Any person who, in violation of Article 43, paragraph (1), divulged any secrets of individuals or juridical persons, or other organizations which he/she learned with regard to the business thereof. (2) An attempt of the crime set forth in item (i) of the preceding paragraph shall be punished.
Article 58 When a person who is or was engaged in the business of fundamental statistics divulged or misappropriated the fundamental statistics prior to the date of publication specified pursuant to the provision of Article 8, paragraph (2), he/she shall be punished by imprisonment with work for not more than one year or a fine of not more than 1,000,000 yen.
Article 59 (1) When a person listed in each item of Article 41 provided or misappropriated the information specified in each item of the same Article that he/she handles, for the purpose of acquiring a wrongful gain for himself/herself or a third party, he/she shall be punished by imprisonment with work for not more than one year or a fine of not more than 500,000 yen. (2) When a person listed in each item of Article 43, paragraph (1) provided or misappropriated the questionnaire information pertaining to his/her handling or utilization thereof, for the purpose of acquiring a wrongful gain for himself/herself or a
145 third party, he/she shall be punished by imprisonment with work for not more than one year or a fine of not more than 500,000 yen.
Article 60 Any person who falls under any of the following items shall be punished by imprisonment with work for not more than six months or a fine of not more than 500,000 yen: (i) A person who hindered another person that was requested to report a fundamental statistical survey under Article 13 in complying with the request for a report;
(ii) A person engaged in the production of fundamental statistics who acted to falsify fundamental statistics.
Article 61 Any person who falls under any of the following items shall be punished by a fine of not more than 500,000 yen: (i) Any person who, in violation of Article 13, refused to make a report of a fundamental statistical survey or has made a false report; (ii) A person who did not submit materials under Article 15, paragraph (1) or submitted false materials, who refused, hindered, or avoided inspections under the same paragraph, or who did not give answers to questions under the same paragraph or gave false answers; (iii) A person having received the provision of anonymized data under Article 36, a person having accepted an entrustment of business concerning the handling of the anonymized data, or a person being or having been engaged in other business pertaining to the said entrustment, who provided or misappropriated the anonymized data for the purpose of acquiring a wrongful gain for himself/herself or a third party.
Article 62 Crimes set forth in Article 57, paragraph (1), items (ii) and (iii), Article 58, Article 59, and Article 61, item (iii) shall apply to a person who committed such crimes outside of Japan.
Supplementary Provisions
Effective Date
Article 1 This Act shall come into effect as from the date specified by a Cabinet Order within a period not exceeding two years from the day of promulgation; provided, however, that the provisions of Chapter 1, Chapter 5, and Article 3 and Article 22 of the Supplementary Provisions shall come into effect as from the date specified by a Cabinet Order within a period not exceeding six months from the day of promulgation.
Repeal of the Statistical Reports Coordination Act Article 2 The Statistical Reports Coordination Act (Act No. 148 of 1952) shall be repealed.
Preparations Article 3 Establishment of a production standard under Article 6 of the Statistics Act after revision (hereinafter referred to as the “New Act”), development of the establishment frame database under Article 27 of the New Act, establishment of statistical standards under Article 28 of the New Act, production of anonymized data under Article 35 of the New Act and procedures and other acts necessary for these may be conducted even prior to the effective date of this Act (hereinafter referred to as the “effective date”) in accordance with the provisions of the New Act.
Implementation Year of the First Population Census Article 4 The first population census under the main clause of Article 5, paragraph (2) of the New Act shall be implemented in 2010.
Transitional Measures concerning Designated Statistics
146 Article 5 Designated statistics that have already been designated pursuant to the provision of Article 2 of the Statistics Act prior to revision (hereinafter referred to as the “Old Act”) at the time of the enforcement of this Act (limited to designated statistics publicly notified by the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications as of the effective date) shall be deemed to be fundamental statistics designated pursuant to the provision of Article 2, paragraph 4, item (iii) of the New Act.
Transitional Measures concerning Designated Statistical Surveys Article 6 Designated statistical surveys that have been approved pursuant to the provision of Article 7, paragraph (1) of the Old Act prior to the effective date (when any changes have been approved pursuant to the provision of paragraph (2) of the same Article, designated statistical surveys after the changes) shall be deemed to be fundamental statistical surveys approved pursuant to the provision of Article 9, paragraph (1) of the New Act.
Transitional Measures concerning Notified Statistical Surveys Article 7 (1) Statistical surveys that have been notified pursuant to the provision of Article 8, paragraph (1) of the Old Act prior to the effective date (limited to those notified by administrative organs) shall not be required to obtain approval from the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications for the period until the day on which one year has elapsed from the effective date, notwithstanding the provision of Article 19, paragraph (1) of the New Act. (2) Among statistical surveys that have been notified pursuant to the provision of Article 8, paragraph (1) of the Old Act prior to the effective date, those notified by local public entities shall be deemed to be statistical surveys notified pursuant to the provision of Article 24, paragraph (1) of the New Act as of the effective date, and those notified by incorporated administrative agencies, etc. that fall under statistical surveys to which the provision of Article 25 of the New Act shall apply after the effective date shall be deemed to be statistical surveys notified pursuant to the provision of the same Article as of the effective date.
Transitional Measures concerning Utilization of Questionnaires Article 8 (1) A person who has already utilized questionnaires pursuant to the provision of Article 15, paragraph (2) of the Old Act at the time of the enforcement of this Act may utilize the questionnaires in accordance with the provisions then in force for the period until the day on which six months have elapsed from the effective date, notwithstanding the provisions of the New Act. (2) With regard to the disposition of applications for approval under Article 15, paragraph (2) of the Old Act which were filed prior to the effective date and for which approval or disapproval has not yet been determined at the time of the enforcement of this Act, the provisions then in force shall remain applicable.
Transitional Measures concerning Questionnaires and Statistical Reports Article 9 (1) Information recorded in questionnaires which were collected to produce designated statistics pursuant to the provisions of the Old Act shall be deemed to be questionnaire information pertaining to fundamental statistical surveys pursuant to the provisions of the New Act. (2) Information recorded in questionnaires which were collected through notified statistical surveys (limited to those conducted by administrative organs) pursuant to the provisions of the Old Act shall be deemed to be questionnaire information pertaining to general statistical surveys pursuant to the provisions of the New Act, information recorded in questionnaires which were collected through notified statistical surveys (limited to those conducted by local public entities) pursuant to the provisions of the Old Act shall be deemed to be questionnaire information pertaining to statistical surveys conducted by local public entities pursuant to the provisions of the New Act, and information recorded in questionnaires which were collected through notified statistical surveys
147 (limited to those conducted by incorporated administrative agencies, etc. that fall under statistical surveys to which the provision of Article 25 of the New Act shall apply after the effective date) pursuant to the provisions of the Old Act shall be deemed to be questionnaire information pertaining to statistical surveys conducted by incorporated administrative agencies, etc. under Article 25 pursuant to the provisions of the New Act. (3) Information recorded in statistical reports which have been obtained by collecting statistical reports pursuant to the provision of the Statistical Reports Coordination Act (hereinafter referred to as the “Old Statistical Reports Coordination Act”) prior to the repeal under Article 2 of the Supplementary Provisions shall be deemed to be questionnaire information pertaining to general statistical surveys pursuant to the provisions of the New Act; provided, however, that the provisions of Articles 32 to 38, Article 40, paragraph (1) and Article 52 of the New Act shall not apply to information among statistical reports that is recorded in parts other than those pertaining to matters that are entered in written applications under Article 4, paragraph (2) of the Old Statistical Reports Coordination Act and that are solely used to produce statistics.
Transitional Measures concerning Publication of the Results Article 10 With regard to the application of the provision of Article 16 of the Old Act to the results of designated statistical surveys that have not been publicized prior to the effective date, the provisions then in force shall remain applicable.
Transitional Measures concerning Penal Provisions Article 11 With regard to the application of penal provisions to the acts committed prior to the effective date, the provisions then in force shall remain applicable.
Transitional Measures concerning Collection of Statistical Reports Article 12 Collection of statistical reports that have obtained approval under Article 4, paragraph (1) of the Old Statistical Reports Coordination Act prior to the effective date shall be deemed to be general statistical surveys that have obtained approval under Article 19, paragraph (1) of the New Act for the period until the expiration of the term for approval specified pursuant to the provision of Article 5, paragraph (2) of the Old Statistical Reports Coordination Act.
Transitional Measures concerning Filing of Objections Article 13 With regard to procedures for objections filed against the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications pursuant to the provision of Article 11, paragraph (1) of the Old Statistical Reports Coordination Act prior to the effective date, the provisions then in force shall remain applicable.
Effects of Disposition or Procedures pursuant to the Provisions of the Old Act, etc. Article 14 Disposition, procedures, or other acts that have been conducted pursuant to the provisions of the Old Act, the Old Statistical Reports Coordination Act, or orders pursuant to the Acts prior to the effective date and for which the New Act or orders pursuant to the New Act have equivalent provisions shall be deemed to have been conducted pursuant to the equivalent provisions of the New Act or orders pursuant to the New Act, except as otherwise provided by these Supplementary Provisions.
Relationship with Ordinances of Local Public Entities Article 15 (1) When ordinances of local public entities have the provisions in which the acts to be regulated by the New Act shall be punished, the parts pertaining to the acts shall cease to be effective upon enforcement of this Act. (2) When the provisions of Ordinances of local public entities cease to be effective pursuant to the provision of the preceding paragraph, with regard to the punishment for violations committed prior to the invalidation, the provisions then in force shall
148 remain applicable even after the invalidation, unless the local public entities provide otherwise in their Ordinances.
Delegation to a Cabinet Order Article 16 In addition to what is provided for in Article 5 to the preceding Article of the Supplementary Provisions, any necessary transitional measures for the enforcement of this Act shall be specified by a Cabinet Order.
Review Article 17 Approximately five years after this Act comes into effect, the government shall take into account the situation of the enforcement of the provision of Article 37 of the New Act, review this provision, and take any necessary measures based on the results of the review, when it is found to be necessary.
(Articles 18 to 25 of the Supplementary Provisions are omitted.)
149 Appendix 2 Organizational history of the Bureau and the Director-General for Policy Planning
Date Statistics Bureau / Director-General for Policy Planning Dec. 1871 Statistics Division (Seihyo-ka) is established in the Main Office of the pre- constitutional Meiji government (Dajokan Seiin). Dec. 1879 Population Survey of the Province of Kai (Kainokuni Genzai Ninbetsu Shirabe) conducted as the first government population survey employing field enumeration in Japan. May 1881 After several reorganizations, the Statistics Office (Tokei-in) is established within the Dajokan, greatly strengthening the statistical system of the government. This Statistics Office is responsible for coordinating all statistical activities of the government. Dec. 1885 With the establishment of the Cabinet in place of the Dajokan, the Statistics Office becomes the Statistics Bureau, an external bureau of the Cabinet. May 1920 The Cabinet Statistics Bureau and the Munitions Bureau (Gunju Kyoku) merge, and the Census Office (Kokusei-in) is established within the Cabinet, with the statistics department becoming the First Division of the Office.
First nationwide population census is conducted as of October 1. Feb. 1921 Statistics Staff Training Institute is established in the First Division of the Census Office. Dec. 1924 The Cabinet Statistics Bureau is reinstated (as an internal bureau) following abolition of the Census Office. Dec. 1946 After World War II, responsibility for the coordination of statistics and statistical activities is transferred to the Statistical Commission which is established in the Cabinet. May 1947 With the establishment of the Prime Minister’s Agency, the Cabinet Statistics Bureau becomes the Statistics Bureau of the Prime Minister’s Agency. Jun. 1949 With the establishment of the Prime Minister’s Office, the Statistics Bureau of the Prime Minister’s Agency becomes the Statistics Bureau of the Prime Minister’s Office, and the Statistical Commission becomes an external bureau of the Prime Minister’s Office. Aug. 1952 With the establishment of the Administrative Management Agency, the Statistical Commission becomes the Statistical Standards Department of the Agency. At the same time, the Statistics Council is established as an advisory organ to the department. Aug. 1957 The Statistical Standards Department of the Administrative Management Agency becomes the Statistical Standards Bureau of the Agency. Jun. 1968 The Statistical Standards Bureau of the Administrative Management Agency becomes the Office of the Director for Statistical Standards of the Agency.
150
Date Statistics Bureau / Director-General for Policy Planning Jul. 1984 With the establishment of the Management and Coordination Agency, the Statistics Bureau of the Management and Coordination Agency is formed by combining the General Affairs Division, the Statistical Information Division and the Survey Department of the Statistics Bureau with the Office of the Director for Statistical Standards of the Administrative Management Agency. At the same time, the Tabulation Department of the Statistics Bureau is transformed into the Statistics Center. The Statistical Training Institute becomes an organ attached to the Statistics Center. Jan. 2001 With the reorganization of Japan’s central government, the Management and Coordination Agency is reorganized into the newly established Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC). As a consequence the Statistics Bureau and the Statistics Center become part of MIC. The Statistical Training Institute is transformed into the Statistical Research and Training Institute by integrating the research and publishing functions as well as the library. Apr. 2003 The Statistics Center is reorganized into an incorporated administrative agency and renamed the National Statistics Center. The Statistical Research and Training Institute is reorganized into a training institution of the MIC. Aug. 2005 The Statistical Standards Department of the Statistics Bureau is reorganized into the Director-General for Policy Planning (Statistical Standards) of the MIC. May 2007 The full revision of the Statistics Act. Oct. 2007 The Statistical Council is abolished, and the Statistics Commission is established in the Cabinet Office. Apr. 2009 The full enforcement of the Statistics Act.
151 Appendix 3 Government statistical organizations
Main Activities Organizations Contacts /Surveys/Statistics
Cabinet Office Economic and Social Research ・SNA(National Accounts) Mailing address: 1-6-1 Nagata-cho, Institute ・Consumer Confidence Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8914 Survey Tel: +81-3-5253-2111 Website: http://www.cao.go.jp/index-e.html
Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Statistics Bureau ・Population Census Mailing address: 19-1 Wakamatsu-cho, ・Economic Census Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8668 Tel: +81-3-5273-2020 Website: http://www.stat.go.jp/english/index.htm Director-General for Policy ・Overall Coordination Website: Planning (Statistical Standards) ・Input-Output Tables http://www.soumu.go.jp/english/dgpp_ss/inde x.htm Statistical Research and Training ・Statistical research and Mailing address: 2-11-16 Izumi-cho, Institute training Kokubunji-shi, Tokyo 185-0024 TEL: +81-42-320-5870 Website: http://www.stat.go.jp/training/english/e- index.htm Ministry of Justice Judicial System Department, ・Statistics on Registration Mailing address: 1-1-1 Kasumigaseki, Minister’s Secretariat Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8977 Tel: +81-3-3580-4111 Website: http://www.moj.go.jp/ENGLISH/index.html
Ministry of Finance Policy Research Institute ・Financial Statements Mailing address: 3-1-1 Kasumigaseki, Statistics of Corporations Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8940 by Industry Tel: +81-3-3581-4111 Website: http://www.mof.go.jp/english/index.htm
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Lifelong Learning Policy Bureau ・School Basic Survey Mailing address: 3-2-2 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8959 Tel: +81-3-5253-4111 Website: http://www.mext.go.jp/english/index.htm
152 Main Activities Organizations Contacts /Surveys/Statistics
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Statistics and Information ・Vital Statistics Mailing address: 1-2-2 Kasumigaseki, Department, Minister’s Secretariat ・Monthly Labour Survey Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8916 Tel: +81-3-5253-1111 Website: http://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/index.html
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Statistics Department, ・Census of Agriculture Mailing address: 1-2-1 Kasumigaseki, Minister’s Secretariat and Forestry Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8950 ・Fisheries Census Tel: +81-3-3502-8111 Website: http://www.maff.go.jp/e/index.html
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Research and Statistics Department, ・Census of Manufactures Mailing address: 1-3-1 Kasumigaseki, Economic and Industrial Policy ・Census of Commerce Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8901 Bureau Tel: +81-3-3501-1511 Website: http://www.meti.go.jp/english/index.html
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure Transport and Tourism Information and Research ・Building Starts Mailing address: 2-1-3 Kasumigaseki, Department, Policy Bureau ・Survey on Motor Vehicle Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8918 Transport Tel: +81-3-5253-8111 Website: http://www.mlit.go.jp/index_e.html
153 Appendix 4 List of major publications
Title Cycle Remarks
Statistical compendia
Japan Statistical Yearbook Annual
Nihon no Tokei (Statistics of Japan) Annual In Japanese only
Sekai no Tokei Annual In Japanese only (International Statistical Compendium)
Statistical Handbook of Japan Annual In English only
Social Indicators by Prefecture Annual
Tokei de Miru Ken no Sugata Annual In Japanese only (Statistical Observations of Prefectures) Tokei de Miru Shi, Ku, Cho, Son no Sugata Annual In Japanese only (Statistical Observations of Shi, Ku, Machi, Mura )
Statistical coordination and standards Tokei Kijun Nempo Annual In Japanese only (Annual Report on Statistical Standards)
Statistical Notes of Japan - In English only
Guide to Official Statistics in Japan - In English only
Shogaikoku ni okeru Tokei no Seido to Unei - In Japanese only (Statistical System and Management in Foreign Countries) Nippon Hyojun Sangyo Bunrui - (Japan Standard Industrial Classification) Nippon Hyojun Shokugyo Bunrui - (Japan Standard Classification of Occupations) Nippon Hyojun Shohin Bunrui - (Japan Standard Commodity Classification)
154 Title Cycle Website
Major censuses and surveys
Report on the Population Census Quinquennial http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/kokusei/index.htm
Report on the Current Population Estimates Annual http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/jinsui/index.htm
Report on Internal Migration in Japan Annual http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/idou/index.htm Derived from the Basic Resident Registration
Report on the Housing and Land Survey Quinquennial http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/jyutaku/index.htm
Report on the Labour Force Survey Annual http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/roudou/index.htm
Report on the Employment Status Survey Quinquennial http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/shugyou/index.htm
Report on the Establishment and Enterprise Census Quinquennial http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/jigyou/index.htm （1947-2006） Report on the Survey on Service Industries Quinquennial http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/service/index.htm （1989-2004） Quartely, Report on the Unincorporated Enterprise Survey http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/kojinke/index.htm Annual
Report on the Survey of Research and Development Annual http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/kagaku/index.htm
Report on the Monthly Survey on Service Industries Annual http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/mssi/index.htm
Report on the Family Income and Expenditure Survey Annual http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/kakei/index.htm
Report on the National Survey of Family Income and Quinquennial http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/zensho/index.htm Expenditure
Report on the Survey of Household Economy Annual http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/joukyou/index.htm
Report on the Retail Price Survey Annual http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/kouri/index.htm
Report on the National Survey of Prices Quinquennial http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/zenbutu/index.htm （1967-2007）
Report on the Consumer Price Index Annual http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/cpi/index.htm
Report on the Survey on Time Use and Leisure Activities Quinquennial http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/shakai/index.htm
Title Cycle Remarks
Others Statistical Maps on Grid-Square Basis Population Census, and Economic Quinquennial In Japanese only Census About Input-Output Tables Quinquennial Note: All publications include English translations unless otherwise indicated. 155
2015/03/12 10:59
A Guide to the Statistics Bureau, the Director-General for Policy Planning (Statistical Standards) and the Statistical Research and Training Institute Japan
Statistics Bureau Phone : +81-3-5273-1116 Fax : +81-3-5273-1010 E-mail : [email protected]
Website : http://www.stat.go.jp/english/index.htm
19-1 Wakamatsu-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8668 Japan 19-1 Wakamatsu-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8668 Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications 英文ガイド：表紙【PDFX4】.indd 1